Basic aspects of current solar photovoltaics (PV) are reviewed, starting from the recently developed already-on-the-market first-generation solar cells and ending with promising but not yet commercialized third-generation cells and materials possibly leading to new cell designs. The emphasis is on the physical principles of various solar cells which are divided into several groups according to our classification scheme. To make the picture complete, some technological and economic aspects of the field are discussed. A separate chapter considers antireflection coatings and light-trapping devices — structures which, while have not yet appeared in the PV review literature, are an integral part of the solar cell field.

Keywords: solar energy, photovoltaics, solar cells of three generations, organic and inorganic solar cells, commercial photovoltaics, perovskites, light-trapping structure PACS: 42.25.Bs, 42.79.Wc, 61.46.−w, 71.20.Nr, 71.20.Rv, 72.40.+w, 72.80.Cw, 84.60.Jt (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2016.02.037703 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2016/8/a/ 000388449500001 2-s2.0-84995566981 2016PhyU...59..727M Citation: Milichko V A, Shalin A S, Mukhin I S, Kovrov A E, Krasilin A A, Vinogradov A V, Belov P A, Simovskii C R "Solar photovoltaics: current state and trends" Phys. Usp. 59 727–772 (2016) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 27th, January 2016, accepted: 2nd, February 2016 Оригинал: Миличко В А, Шалин А С, Мухин И С, Ковров А Э, Красилин А А, Виноградов А В, Белов П А, Симовский К Р «Солнечная фотовольтаика: современное состояние и тенденции развития» УФН 186 801–852 (2016); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2016.02.037703