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Highly conductive transparent films are of significant interest in the field of thin-film photovoltaics. The solar cell type defines the necessary properties of the TCO used, as, besides the obvious qualities of transparency and conductivity, stability and morphology are important. The most significant properties of these aspects for front contacts in amorphous/microcrystalline silicon tandem, CIGS and CdTe solar cells are presented in this paper. Commonly used deposition techniques like CVD and sputter technology are described herein, focusing on particular techniques like SnO2:F and ZnO:B (CVD) and ZnO:Al (sputtering). New developments of deposition methods are also discussed.

As it makes its way towards a non-subsidised market, the photovoltaic sector has to deal with decreasing margins. To ensure investment goals are met in spite of this, it is imperative that PV power plants generate optimal yields. Comprehensive quality assurance for PV power plants covers all phases of the completion process from the planning to system operation. This article explains the extent of standard quality assurance measures that include yield assessments, module measurements, system testing and yield monitoring. It outlines the potential of linking these quality assurance measures and stresses the importance of the measures themselves being of high quality. Up-to-date scientific findings from Fraunhofer ISE are presented in order to further optimise quality assurance measures.