Photovoltaic -- Conversion of Sunlight to Electricity

The world is in the midst of an energy systems transformation with concern about energy security, pollution and climate change. Photovoltaic (PV), the conversion of sunlight to electricity, has been getting a great deal of attention as a viable clean energy source. The global shipment for PV increased by more than a factor of four in the last four years; the shipment was about 6 GW in 2009 which is about a {\$}20 billion market. Most of the applications have been in countries that have given special incentives for the use of solar electricity. Reaching grid parity is the focus of many solar companies, and in this talk I shall discuss the innovative efforts that are underway all over the world to bring down the cost of solar electricity.