Crystalline Si thin-film solar cells (CSiTF solar cells) make up a specialist field in crystalline Si solar cells. They have the potential to combine the positive features of wafer and thin-film solar cells with one another: high efficiency with low silicon consumption.

At Fraunhofer ISE we are currently pursuing the "wafer equivalent" concept, in which CSiTF solar cells may, for the most part, be manufactured using the highly developed process technology for wafer solar cells. Our research and development work covers the entire manufacturing chain for wafer equivalents: development of substrates from low-cost silicon and ceramics, adapted functional coatings e.g. of silicon carbide, recrystallization of silicon, silicon deposition or epitaxy and solar cell processes specifically adapted to thin-film solar cells. All these fields are not only tested with regard to their basic mode of operation, but are also being developed to ensure high throughput and low manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, we not only develop technology, but also generate knowledge and patents which are available for licensing.