Current Status and Prospects for the Development of Emerging Photovoltaic Technologies

Third-generation photovoltaic (PV) technologies, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), organic solar cells (OSCs), quantum-dot solar cells (QDSSCs), and perovskite solar cells (PSCs), are characterized by properties that enable applications beyond conventional silicon-based devices. However, despite remarkable progress in third-generation solar cells, significant challenges related to efficiency, stability, scalability, and commercialization remain significant. The purpose of this review work was to summarize recent developments in third-generation photovoltaic technologies, including component materials design, configurations, performance data, limitations, and future research directions. The reported studies demonstrated crucial improvements in power conversion efficiency, which exceeded 15% for DSSC, 20% for OSC, 12% for QDSSC, and 26% for PSC. The key challenges to commercialization include further improvements in efficiency, better stability, and meeting the environmental requirements. Although important technological and environmental challenges remain, third-generation solar cells are expected to contribute to future sustainable energy systems due to their high efficiency potential, low-cost fabrication, and possible incorporation of environmentally friendly materials in the structure of the cells. The photovoltaic performance under indoor conditions and the aspect of a sustainable approach were identified as recent research trends.