A review of thin film crystalline silicon for solar cell applications. Part 1 : native substrates

Abstract

Approximately half the cost of a furnished crystalline silicon solar module is due to the silicon itself. Combining this fact with a high efficiency potential makes thin film crystalline silicon solar cells a growing research area. This paper, written in two parts, aims to outline world-wide research on this topic. The subject has been divided into techniques which use native substrates and techniques which use foreign substrates. Light trapping, vapour and liquid phase deposition techniques, cell fabrication and some general considerations are also discussed with reference to thin film cells.