Solar cells: Present status and future prospects

Abstract Some market estimates indicate that a-Si:H based solar cells now account for the majority of sales. Although much of this market is consumer electronics, other conventional power markets may be expected to grow as the performance, reliability and cost of the devices improve. Prospects in each of these areas appear excellent. Although we believe efficiencies of 14% are realistic for single junction devices, multijunction cells will have better efficiencies and stabilities. The high performance in these devices will require improvements in the properties of compatible wide and low bandgap materials. Two of the most promising candidates are a-SiGe and a-SiC:H alloys. In this paper we examine recent developments in these materials and devices.