Applications of amorphous silicon photovoltaics: myths and facts

This paper presents assessment results of the technical and economic suitability of amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar photovoltaics (PV) to terrestrial applications of power generation and commercial remote power. The assessment covered a spectrum of a-Si production, PV system design and economics, operational performance, and market acceptance. Primary data were gathered from the operational PV production facilities, historical experience in the construction of utility-scale turnkey PV power systems and smaller industrial remote power systems, and large commercial users of PV systems. Performance reliability and conversion efficiency were given particular attention in the assessment of a-Si. Findings were: (1) a-Si has attained stability and environmental reliability comparable to conventional PV technologies; (2) PV conversion efficiency has a significant impact on system applications and economics only when there is limited area or very high transportation costs; (3) the low area-related costs and suitability of glass-on-glass a-Si as a building material enable a variety of building-integrated PV applications that provide high value to end-use grid-connected customers; and (4) the completion of large scale, automated production facilities has allowed a-Si to attain a significant manufacturing cost reduction