Perspectives and opportunities in polycrystalline thin-film photovoltaic technologies

The last 2 years have seen great turmoil in photovoltaics (PV) in general and in polycrystalline thin films (PTF) in particular. Companies have left the field (e.g., AMETEK) or sustained delays or major reorganizations (Siemens Solar, Boeing); others (ACX Technologies, Energy Photovoltaics, Martin Marietta, Solar Cells, Inc. and Solarex) have entered it, and some others (Photon Energy, now Golden Photon) have found new and stronger owners. Major technical advances have occurred in PTF (solar cell efficiencies have risen by about 2% absolute, to nearly 16%; modules of substantial size (7200-cm², 8-ft²) are being made at efficiencies near or above the state-of-the-art for thin films) and some major technical issues have been encountered. Recent times have seen a series of excellent performance results (as with CdTe), and have seen manufacturability issues humble the still very promising CIS technology. The challenges of developing and commercializing a successful thin film remain. This paper describes the opportunity of PTF technologies to do so and the technical and market contexts that are likely to play a decisive part in whether they succeed