Photovoltaic Technology: The Case for Thin-Film Solar Cells
A. Shah,
1
P. Torres,
1*
R. Tscharner,
1
N. Wyrsch,
1
H. Keppner
2
The advantages and limitations of photovoltaic solar
modules for energy generation are reviewed with their operation
principles and physical efficiency limits. Although the main materials
currently used or investigated and the associated fabrication
technologies are individually described, emphasis is on silicon-based
solar cells. Wafer-based crystalline silicon solar modules dominate in
terms of production, but amorphous silicon solar cells have the
potential to undercut costs owing, for example, to the roll-to-roll production possibilities for modules. Recent developments suggest that
thin-film crystalline silicon (especially microcrystalline silicon) is
becoming a prime candidate for future photovoltaics.
1 Institute of Microtechnology (IMT), University
of Neuchâtel, Rue A.-L. Breguet 2, CH-2000 Neuchâtel,
Switzerland.
2 University of Applied Science, Avenue de
l'Hôtel-de-Ville 7, CH-2400 Le Locle, Switzerland.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
peter.torres{at}imt.unine.ch
