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Thin Film Solar Cells: Research in an Industrial Perspective

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Abstract

Electricity generation by photovoltaic conversion of sunlight is a technology in strong growth. The thin film technology is taking market share from the dominant silicon wafer technology. In this article, the market for photovoltaics is reviewed, the concept of photovoltaic solar energy conversion is discussed and more details are given about the present technological limitations of thin film solar cell technology. Special emphasis is given for solar cells which employ Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 as the sunlight-absorbing layer.

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Acknowledgments

All members of the thin film solar cell group are acknowledged for their hard work and many fruitful discussions. The research on Thin Film Solar Cells and systems at Uppsala University is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova, Göran Gustavsson Foundation and Solelprogrammet.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Solid State Electronics, Department of Engineering Sciences, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 534, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden

    Marika Edoff

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  1. Marika Edoff
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Correspondence to Marika Edoff.

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Edoff, M. Thin Film Solar Cells: Research in an Industrial Perspective. AMBIO 41 (Suppl 2), 112–118 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0265-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0265-6

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