ABSTRACT
The solar energy that is adsorbed by the earth per year is estimated at 3.85 YJ, or 439 EJ on an hourly basis, which is enough to meet the global energy demand of 474 EJ for an entire year (see discussion in Refs. [1-3]). Solar energy capture into electricity with photovoltaics (PV) offers one alternative to the global dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels (e.g., petroleum, coal, and natural gas) that is creating negative long-term environmental and socioeconomical effects [4,5]. One reality of a heavy reliance on fossil fuels is the rising levels of greenhouse gases (e.g., methane and CO2), with myriad and complex consequences to climates that are causing widespread concerns [6-8]. From the need to address these realities, an increasing number of corporate and nation-sponsored research efforts are being organized to develop carbon-neutral energy sources, mitigate energy use with more energy-ef‚cient technologies, and sequester CO2 to ameliorate global warming [9-13].
