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Thin-film solar cells: review of materials, technologies and commercial status

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Abstract

The recent boom in the demand for photovoltaic modules has created a silicon supply shortage, providing an opportunity for thin-film photovoltaic modules to enter the market in significant quantities. Thin-films have the potential to revolutionise the present cost structure of photovoltaics by eliminating the use of the expensive silicon wafers that alone account for above 50% of total module manufacturing cost. The strengths and weaknesses of the contending thin-film photovoltaic technologies and the current state of commercial activity with each are briefly reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia

    Martin A. Green

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  1. Martin A. Green
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Correspondence to Martin A. Green.

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Green, M.A. Thin-film solar cells: review of materials, technologies and commercial status. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 18 (Suppl 1), 15–19 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-007-9177-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-007-9177-9

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