Photovoltaic solar cells: An overview of state-of-the-art cell development and environmental issues

This paper gives an overview of the materials and methods used for fabricating photovoltaic solar cell devices. The technologies discussed include those based on the use of silicon (in the crystalline, multicrystalline, amorphous and micro-crystalline forms), the III-V compounds (e.g. gallium arsenide, indium phosphide and gallium antimonide), the polycrystalline compounds (e.g. cadmium telluride, copper gallium indium diselenide and copper indium disulphide), and organic materials (e.g. dyes, polymers and fullerenes). The paper also discusses the important environmental and energy issues with regard to the manufacture, use and disposal of the solar cells and modules.