RECENT ADVANCES IN THIN-FILM SOLAR-CELLS

What goes around, comes around, as the saying goes. Once again, the focus on renewable energy has come about as a result of the crisis mentality. Higher fossil fuel prices, uncertain supplies from the Middle East, and growing concerns for the environment have put clean sources of energy high on the public's agenda. Fortunately, over the last ten years research progress for the various photovoltaic options has been quietly, but steadily, going forward. Progress for all of the important thin-film options is reviewed in this paper, and future requirements in terms of expanded markets and larger production capacity are discussed.