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Crystalline thin‐foil silicon solar cells: where crystalline quality meets thin‐film processing
Author(s) -
Dross Frederic,
Baert Kris,
Bearda Twan,
Deckers Jan,
Depauw Valerie,
El Daif Ounsi,
Gordon Ivan,
Gougam Adel,
Govaerts Jonathan,
Granata Stefano,
Labie Riet,
Loozen Xavier,
Martini Roberto,
Masolin Alex,
O'Sullivan Barry,
Qiu Yu,
Vaes Jan,
Van Gestel Dries,
Van Hoeymissen Jan,
Vanleenhove Anja,
Van Nieuwenhuysen Kris,
Venkatachalam Srisaran,
Meuris Marc,
Poortmans Jef
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.1238
Subject(s) - crystalline silicon , photovoltaics , wafer , foil method , fabrication , silicon , monocrystalline silicon , materials science , production (economics) , engineering physics , thin film , nanotechnology , solar cell , quality (philosophy) , production cost , process engineering , computer science , photovoltaic system , electrical engineering , optoelectronics , mechanical engineering , engineering , composite material , medicine , philosophy , alternative medicine , epistemology , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Crystalline Si (c‐Si) technology is dominating the photovoltaics market. These modules are nonetheless still relatively expensive, in particular because of the costly silicon wafers, which require large thickness mostly to ease handling. Thin‐film technologies, on the other hand, use much less active material, exhibit a much lower production cost per unit area, but achieve an efficiency still limited on module level, which increases the total system costs. A meet‐in‐the‐middle is possible and is the object of this paper. The development of c‐Si thin‐foil modules is presented: first, the fabrication of the active material on a glass module and then the processing of the Si foils into solar cells, directly on module level. The activity of IMEC in this area is put into perspective with regard to worldwide research results. It appears that great opportunities are offered to this cell concept, although some challenges still need to be tackled before cost‐effective and reliable industrial production can be launched. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.