The photoelectric conversion efficiency of thin-film solar cells is not as high as that of traditional crystalline silicon cells. Improving the conversion efficiency of thin-film solar cells is the main direction of solar technology research. Up to now, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of CdTe thin film solar cells in the laboratory has reached 265438 0.5%. First Solar is the world's largest manufacturer of cadmium telluride solar cell modules, and plans to achieve the module efficiency of 16% in 20 15 years. At present, the efficiency of copper indium gallium selenide thin film solar cells has also exceeded 2 1%, and the efficiency of related components will also reach 15%.

At present, commercial thin film solar cells mainly include cadmium telluride thin film solar cells, copper indium gallium selenide thin film solar cells and amorphous silicon thin film solar cells.