A Comprehensive Survey of Silicon Thin-film Solar Cell: Challenges and Novel Trends

Abstract Solar cells are commonly recognized as one of the most promising devices that can be utilized to produce energy from renewable sources. As a result of their low production costs, little material consumption, and projected increasing trajectory in terms of efficiency, thin-film solar cells have emerged as the technology of choice in the solar industry at present. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of silicon thin-film solar cells, beginning with their inception and progressing up to the most cutting-edge module made in a laboratory setting. There is a review of the fantastic development of each technology, as well as its cell configuration, restrictions, equivalent circuit model, cell performance, and global market share. The dependability and availability of cell materials, in addition to the comparison of numerous characteristics, are both areas of research that are conducted concurrently for each of the distinct technologies. New advances in solar cells are also highlighted; these hold the potential to be significant variables and solutions in the process of the future's development. This abbreviated and brief version of the comprehensive analysis is provided to readers in the hope that it will aid them in evaluating potential research avenues about the proper applications and production of solar cells.