GROWTH OF SILICON SHEETS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS

Several techniques for the sheet growth of silicon for solar cell subs trates are reviewed here. These techniques usually offer an economic a dvantage over growth in the form of bulk crystals. At least 16 differe nt sheet growth systems have been proposed but only five, that are act ively being pursued for commercialization, are discussed here. These i nclude dendritic web, string ribbon, edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG ), ribbon growth on a substrate (RGS), and Silicon-Film(TM). The growt h systems and the characteristics of the resulting solar cells are bri efly described. A discussion of their current status concludes the rev iew.