Thin solar cell technologies - Current status

Thin Film Solar Cells (TFSC) have made great strides in recent years to challenge Si solar cell technology in terms of efficiency and production levels. Even though the technology did not have the benefit of standardized equipments available to Si solar cell manufacturing, the innovations in developing thin film equipments and processes for large scale integrated manufacturing have resulted in GW production. The science and technological aspects of three main TFSCs: CdTe, CIGS and a-Si: H are discussed to highlight the commonalities and differences in the device architecture and manufacturing. These technologies are in competition amongst themselves, which has resulted in continued improvements. The growth in PV technology will be increasingly driven by TFSC technologies, with Si technology also improving, to bring down the cost of solar cells below $1/W_P leading to the solar electricity cost comparable (or even lower) to the conventional electricity cost.