Flexible Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Cells

This chapter discusses research and development of emerging silicon-based flexible solar cells. More emphasis is shown on the technology, underlying principles, device architecture, fabrication process, strengths, and challenges of the flexible solar cells fabricated using silicon. This chapter considers all the counterparts of silicon, from bulk to nanostructures that are used to fabricate photovoltaic devices. Change in the structure (low-dimensional and bulk materials), morphology (surface texturing and pyramid structures), and crystallinity (amorphous, poly-crystalline, and crystalline) of silicon as an absorber layer has shown enhanced efficiencies and reliabilities in flexible silicon solar cells. Flexibility and stretchability in solar cells are achieved mainly due to the adoption of novel structures, fabrication techniques, and, most importantly, the adoption of various flexible substrates (metal foils, polymers, and thin glass). The advantages and disadvantages of solar cells are discussed in terms of achieved efficiency, fabrication method, flexibility, and chosen substrate.