Flexible thin film Si solar cells and modules

Roll-to-roll production technologies of light-weight, flexible film solar cells and modules were established. Thin film solar cells are deposited on 1m-wide and 3000m-long heat resisting plastic substrates. A unique monolithic device was developed and applied to 24MW/year manufacturing lines in Kumamoto factory. All production processes are roll-to-roll and dry. Roll-to-roll processes are productive and reduce storage space of interim products drastically. Various kinds of solar modules using the flexible film solar cells have been shipped. The unique device structure enables us to cut and connect cells easily resulting in easy customizing voltage and current specifications of products. Progress of research activities on device designing and higher efficiency film solar cells on plastic substrates are also described.