Development of high efficiency flexible solar cells

Abstract

Elemental technological challenges required for the development of flexible solar cells have been clarified and a consortium system to solve the problems has been established based on industry-academia-government collaboration. The technology to form texture on polymer substrates indispensable for high efficiency has been developed, and we have succeeded in preparation of thin-film silicon solar cells on polymer substrates whose efficiency is comparable with that of cells prepared on glass substrates. The stage has already moved from research within the consortium to practical realization research in individual enterprises. Establishment process, management policy, patent strategy and training of young researchers of the consortium are described in this paper.