Large Area Thin Film Silicon: Synergy between Displays and Solar Cells

Abstract

Thin-film silicon technology has changed our society, owing to the rapid advance of its two major application fields in communication (thin-film displays) and sustainable energy (thin-film solar cells). Throughout its development, advances in these application fields have always benefitted each other. In the 1980s, display technology benefitted from the know-how on plasma deposition and equipment intended for solar cells. In the 2000s, thin-film solar technology benefitted from the scaled-up versions of plasma deposition equipment, and presently Gen5 or Gen5.5 is the most commonly used size for thin-film solar modules. Scaling has always been the major cost driver for displays. For solar cells, the cost per installed watt is another important factor, and therefore primary attention for sustained growth in photovoltaics should be given to cell efficiency.