Polycrystalline silicon films on aluminum sheets for solar cell application

In order to make low-cost silicon solar cells for large-scale terrestrial use, we have considered a method for growing silicon with a columnar structure, with a monograin along the growth direction. Such a polycrystal, in contrast to general polycrystal material with randomly oriented grain arrangement, would make possible polycrystalline solar cells with good photovoltaic efficiencies.