Extensive research has been performed with crystalline, multicrystalline , thin film polycrystalline and amorphous solar cells to maximize cell efficiency as well as to reduce material size and cost.
Thin film CIGS technology is very promising for high efficiency at economic price.
Nanopareticles of Cu, In, and Ga oxide is coated on a Mo foil or a non conducting substrate, improving cell efficiency to 8.9% on polyimide 13.0% on Mo foil and 13.6% on glass substrate.
Mono or Multi crystalline silicon solar cells have three wafer properties 1)Lifetime 2)Thickness 3)Resistivity.