THIN FILM TECHNOLOGY

How reliable is Thin Films in the Applications of Solar Photovoltaic

Table of Content

INTRODUCTION1

DISCUSSION1

Solar Photovoltaic (PV)3

Comparison of Thin Film technology to Silicon Technology5

Various Thin Films Technologies9

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)9

Amorphous Silicon9

Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide (CIGS)10

Design and Fabrication10

Production Cost and Marketing11

Efficiency of Thin Film Technology13

Example of Successful Installation13

CONCLUSION17

Limitations of the Essay17

Implications for Future Research Studies18

REFERENCES19

APPENDICES22

How reliable is Thin Films in the Applications of Solar Photovoltaic

Introduction

Since the moment the world of humanity stepped into the twenty first century it has welcomed and celebrated numerous scientific and technological inventions that entirely transformed the living. Latest inventions in the practical field are weighted by its own pros and cons; however, it is a fact that the human brain has achieved a significant milestone in revealing the hidden secrets of the universe.

One of the major achievements of this milestone of success is the solar photovoltaic (SPV) that is an array of cells that contain material of solar photovoltaic that can convert the solar radiations directly into current electricity (Solar guide, 2012, p. n.d.). The paper focuses on the use of thin films in the solar PV by generating a reasonable comparison between the technology of thin film and silicon. It provides information on various thin film technologies that are being used in the field, either individually or in the integrated form. The argument is supported with graphs and statistical figures that highlight the efficiency and undergo a cost benefit analysis of this technology.

Finally, the paper supports its argumentative notion with the help of established example that adds to the reliability of thin films in the application of solar photovoltaic.



Discussion

In the past few years, the field of technology has been ringing with the research and development of photovoltaic due to the fact that technology is being considered as the leading renewable source of consumer energy (Solar guide, 2012, p. n.d.). The statistics and research reports indicate that the production of Solar photovoltaic (SPV) has been doubled every two years since 2002 making photovoltaic the fastest-growing solar power of the world and technology of energy as a whole.

Figure 01: Sources of Energy Production (Jäger-Waldau et. al., 2011, p. i)

Thin films are used to modify the surface's optical characteristics, its lubricity and electrical conductivity to provide resistance of corrosion for decoration. The most common examples of thin film can include the reflective coating on DVDs and CDs, anti-reflective coatings on optical films, and tiny electrical pathways in electrical films (oxford-vacuum.com).

Figure 02: Solar Energy and PV Module (Solar guide, 2012, p. n.d.)

Statistics have indicated that thin film solar cells will rapidly take over the market share of the established technology of crystalline with predictions of increasing its portion of Photovoltaic (PV) wattage more than two times their by 2013. The estimated figures of iSuppli Corp. have claimed that the share of thin films is expected to grown in terms of watts, from 14% of 2008 to 31% of the global market of solar panel by 2013 (RenewableEnergyWorld, 2009, p. n.d.).

Figure 03: The Percentage Share of Thin Film in the Total Production ...