Current status of thin-film solar cells and future prospects

Author

Konagai, Makoto

Author_Institution

Tokyo Inst. of Technol., Tokyo, Japan

fYear

2013

fDate

2-5 July 2013

Firstpage

21

Lastpage

24

Abstract

An overview of the recent status of photovoltaic (PV) power generation is first presented. Next, the Japanese roadmap for the research and development (R&D) of PV power generation and the progress in the development of various solar cells are explained. In addition, the present status and future prospects of Si thin-film solar cells, which are expected to enter the stage of full-scale practical application in the near future, are described. Thus far, a-Si/μc-Si tandem solar cell modules with conversion efficiency exceeding 13% have been reported. In addition, triple-junction solar cells are introduced, as well as innovative thin-film full-spectrum solar cells and Si nano-wire solar cells, whose target year of realization is 2030-2050.

Keywords

amorphous semiconductors; elemental semiconductors; nanowires; photovoltaic power systems; research and development; semiconductor thin films; silicon; solar cells; Japanese roadmap; PV power generation; R and D; Si-Si; conversion efficiency; nanowire solar cells; photovoltaic power generation; research and development; tandem solar cell; thin-film solar cells; triple-junction solar cells; Degradation; Photonic band gap; Photovoltaic cells; Power generation; Production; Silicon;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Active-Matrix Flatpanel Displays and Devices (AM-FPD), 2013 Twentieth International Workshop on

Conference_Location

Kyoto

Type

conf

Filename

6617767