SUBSTRATES, CONTACTS AND MONOLITHIC INTEGRATION

Substrates and contracts play a critical role in thin-film solar cell device and module performance. They influence light trapping, film gro wth, impurity levels, doping, stability, yield and laser scribing for monolithic integration. The substrate is also a major cost factor, oft en accounting for the largest component of the module cost. The intera ction between the substrates or contacts with the semiconductor layers can also limit the range of the subsequent semiconductor layer proces sing parameters. The panel and audience discussed these factors in rel ation to fabrication, performance and characterization of today's thin -film solar cells and modules. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.