Abstract
The terrestrial photovoltaics market has been dominated from the beginning by crystalline silicon and by cast multicrystalline silicon. Continuing improvements in materials quality and innovative designs are responsible for keeping silicon solar cells at a market share of about 85%. However, in the past two years, thin-film solar modules based on amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium diselenide have gained a strong foothold in the market, particularly in the United States and Europe. This article will briefly review the status of silicon solar cells and then discuss developments, opportunities, and materials challenges in thin-film solar cells.
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Compaan, A.D. Materials challenges for terrestrial thin-film photovoltaics. JOM 59, 31–36 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0149-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0149-6