Deposition techniques for polycrystalline thin-film photovoltaics

Large-area polycrystalline thin film photovoltaics, particularly cadmium sulfide/copper indium diselenide (CdS/CIS) and cadmium sulfide/cadmium telluride (CdTe), hold great promise for future space power applications. These materials are inherently lightweight and can be fabricated by a variety of low-cost deposition techniques. Results from research in polycrystalline thin film photovoltaics with potential for large area and low cost are discussed, particularly with respect to innovative deposition techniques such as modified electrodeposition and chemical immersion deposition