Discussing the Immense Potential of Thin Film Solar Cells

As the world has started realizing the importance of using renewable energy sources, solar energy is finding numerous applications across various domestic & commercial sectors, i.e., demonstrating a rising installation of solar panels for electricity generation.

Today, most countries extensively utilize solar energy for power generation through solar photovoltaic systems. With rigorous research & developments in these systems, a wide variety of solar panels, including Thin-Film Solar Cells (TFSCs), are being set up across different regions worldwide. TFSCs are panel systems designed with micro-thick-photon absorbing materials where the solar energy can be deposited on the layers of a flexible substrate to later convert into electrical energy.

What draws the deployment of these systems more is the better affordability of solar-powered electricity generation than non-renewable sources. As a result, a recent research study published by MarkNtel Advisors reveals that the Global Thin Film Solar Cells Market is set to experience around 17.29% CAGR during 2022-27, owing to a plethora of benefits of TFSCs with minimum maintenance.

Key Benefits & Types of Thin Film Solar Cells

Thin Film Solar Cells are, in layman's language, thinner photovoltaic materials that absorb solar energy on a plastic/metal/glass-based thin substrate. Owing to their thick construction, these panels are relatively low-cost & offer excellent energy conversion efficiency. Other benefits like minimal material use, short & quick energy payback period, monolithic integration, large-area modules, low-temperature processes, and transparent modules, among others, are also fueling the popularity of thin-film solar cells across different corners worldwide. Now, let’s look at the major types of Thin-Film Solar Cells:

1.     Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) panels, the most commonly used thin-film solar cells technology, are made-up primarily of various thin layers— one main energy-generating layer made from CdTe and surrounding layers for electricity conduction & collection.

2.     Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)

Amorphous Silicon (a-SI) solar panels are made up primarily of silicon. However, instead of using solid silicon wafers like in the case of mono- or poly-crystalline solar panels, a-SI panels are manufactured by depositing the non-crystalline form of silicon on a substrate of plastic, glass, or metal.

3.     Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIS)

CIS solar cells are made from ‘Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide,' a material inserted between conductive layers and placed on top of different layers of aluminum, steel, plastic, & glass. A few CIGS panels deploy a flexible backing, and the thin layers enable full-panel flexibility.

Thin-film solar cells hold immense potential to solve issues associated with energy generation using an environmentally-friendly method. The exponentially rising population & rapid industrialization are demonstrating a rising energy consumption & directly influencing the demand for power generation using renewable resources. In addition, as the solar industry has substantial support from governments of different countries, massive investments in technological advancements of solar cells are augmenting the demand for thin-film solar cells. With such factors, the Global Thin Film Solar Cells Market is set to expand at a notable growth pace and witness the active participation of several companies & governments in bringing innovations in these systems over the years to come.