Thin-film solar modules
Thin-film solar cells are a promising alternative to traditional silicon solar cells, as they consist just a film of a few thousandths of a millimeter thick which is easy to produce. The standard materials used for the film, as well as amorphous or microcrystalline silicon, are cadmium teluride (CdTe) and copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS).
The thin-film technology allows an immense amount of material to be saved: with crystalline modules, the individual cells have to be combined in several production steps to form modules. In contrast, with the thin-layer technology vapor coating is used, by means of which complete modules are produced in one step - a considerably quicker and more cost-effective manufacturing process. The market-leading thin-film module producer First Solar has now achieved production costs of less than one dollar/Watt.
A further advantage of the thin-film technology is the greater sensitivity to diffuse light. In addition, thin-film modules display better thermal behavior than crystalline cells. This means that the power produced as module temperatures rise does not decline as quickly as in modules with traditional silicon solar cells.
You can read technical details on the quality and manufacture of thin-film modules here.
The thin-film technology allows an immense amount of material to be saved: with crystalline modules, the individual cells have to be combined in several production steps to form modules. In contrast, with the thin-layer technology vapor coating is used, by means of which complete modules are produced in one step - a considerably quicker and more cost-effective manufacturing process. The market-leading thin-film module producer First Solar has now achieved production costs of less than one dollar/Watt.
A further advantage of the thin-film technology is the greater sensitivity to diffuse light. In addition, thin-film modules display better thermal behavior than crystalline cells. This means that the power produced as module temperatures rise does not decline as quickly as in modules with traditional silicon solar cells.
You can read technical details on the quality and manufacture of thin-film modules here.
