What are thin film solar cells?

Thin film solar cells are favorable because of their minimum material usage and rising efficiencies. The three major thin film solar cell technologies include amorphous silicon (α-Si), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), and cadmium telluride (CdTe).

Can thin-film solar cells be used in space?

Lightweight solar: The low weight of thin-film solar cells makes them attractive for space applications, and research is ongoing to develop radiation-resistant and efficient thin-film cells for satellites and other spacecraft. The properties of thin-film solar cells open up a range of applications beyond traditional solar panels.

What is thin-film solar technology?

Thin-film solar technology represents a departure from traditional silicon-based solar panels. Instead of using thick layers of crystalline silicon, thin-film solar cells are made by depositing one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate.

What are the advantages of thin-film solar cells?

The slim design of the thin-film solar cells makes them attractive for many applications. One of the most common thin-film technologies, CdTe solar cells, recorded a maximum efficiency of 22.1% in 2016. In contrast, CIGS solar cells average between 12% to 14% efficiency.

How much does a thin-film solar cell cost?

The rated efficiency for GaAs thin-film solar cells is recorded at 29.1%. The cost for these III-V thin-film solar cells rounds going from $70/W to $170/W, but NREL states that the price can be reduced to $0.50/W in the future.

Could thin-film solar cells revolutionize the Internet of things?

The Internet of Things (IoT) could be revolutionized by small, efficient thin-film solar cells powering distributed networks of sensors and other devices. Even agriculture could see benefits, with semi-transparent solar cells used in greenhouses to generate power while still allowing light through for plant growth.