5. Conclusion

Energy production from renewable sources is a necessity that can only become more urgent under the combined pressure of dwindling hydrocarbon supplies (and the resulting rise in prices) and environmental imperatives.

Photoelectric conversion already achieves efficiencies that are suitable for large-scale applications. These efficiencies are approaching theoretical maximum values, and scientific and technological advances are expected to further improve performance and reduce the manufacturing costs of thin-film photovoltaic cells.

One of the challenges to be addressed is the integration of this energy source into systems and the management of those systems. Indeed, due to the intermittent nature of photovoltaic panel output, it is necessary either to store this energy or to feed it into the grid so that it can be used elsewhere. In the first...