Visualization Analysis of Solar Power Generation Materials Development Using Citespace

Solar power presents a promising solution to the global energy crisis by significantly reducing carbon emissions. This study employs Web of Science and Citespace to visually analyze 521 articles on solar power generation materials published between 2003 and 2023. The development of these materials is categorized into three distinct phases: the start-up phase, rapid growth phase, and steady phase. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the trends observed in countries, institutions, keywords, and emergent words during each phase. The analysis reveals a positive correlation between the number of published articles and the potential of solar power generation. Notably, this correlation is more pronounced in developing countries, indicating a growing interest and commitment to advancing solar energy solutions. Furthermore, the study delves into the top three most researched topics: performance, phase change material (PCM), and efficiency. It highlights a current research impasse in solar power generation materials, prompting a shift towards PCM to enhance efficiency by reducing the temperature of photovoltaic materials. The visual map generated by this paper encapsulates the dynamic landscape of solar power materials research over the past two decades. Through a detailed examination of the current developmental status, emerging frontiers, and research hotspots, this analysis aims to offer valuable insights for future research endeavors in the field.