Flexible photovoltaic modules based on amorphous hydrogenated silicon

Solar cells on lightweight and flexible polymer substrates have a number of unquestionable advantages in both terrestrial and space applications over photovoltaic devices formed on glass. Thin-film photovoltaic modules fabricated on lightweight flexible 100-$\mu$m-thick polymer substrates are presented. Each 10 $\times$ 10 cm module consists of 72 rectangular cells, which are $a$-Si:H $n$–$i$–$p$ structures. The current-voltage characteristics of the modules are presented. The leakage currents and defects of the structures are visualized by infrared (IR) thermometry.