Advances in crystalline silicon solar cell technology for industrial mass production

Crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells are used in the largest quantity of all types of solar cells on the market, representing about 90% of the world total PV cell production in 2008. Crystalline silicon solar cells are also expected to have a primary role in the future PV market. This article reviews the current technologies used for the production and application of crystalline silicon PV cells. The highest energy conversion efficiency reported so far for research crystalline silicon PV cells is 25%. Standard industrial cells, however, remain limited to 15-18% with the exception of certain high-efficiency cells capable of efficiencies greater than 20%. High-efficiency research PV cells have advantages in performance but are often unsuitable for low-cost production due to their complex structures and the lengthy manufacturing processes required for fabrication. Various technologies for mono- and polycrystalline PV cells are compared and discussed with respect to the corresponding material technologies, such as silicon ingot and wafer production. High energy conversion efficiency and low processing cost can only be achieved simultaneously through the development of advanced production technologies and equipment, and some of the latest technologies that could lead to efficiencies of greater than 25% and commercially viable production costs are reviewed.