The CdTe/CdS thin film solar cell. The contribution of Parma University

The CdTe/CdS thin film solar cell is the most suitable to be fabricated on the form of thin films. The processes used to make all the layers, which compose the cell, are quite simple and fast. Efficiency of 16.5% has been reached on laboratory scale and modules of 60x120 cm2 with efficiency larger than 8% are now fabricated and commercialized. A strong contribution to the development of this type of solar cells has been given by the Parma University group with the discovery of a new ohmic back contact for CdTe which is incomparably stable in respect to any other ohmic contact used for CdTe, and by the development of a new all dry process to make the cell.