Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part B (2025)

This paper presents an updated overview of photovoltaic (PV) technologies and materials, with silicon remaining the most significant and widely used. Crystalline silicon continues to dominate the global market, though amorphous silicon also holds importance. The production of crystalline silicon solar cells is closely tied to the semiconductor industry, yet the material still offers significant potential for cost reduction, particularly in its thin-film crystalline form. Thin-film technologies, which require only minimal material usage, are considered highly promising and are expected to play a crucial role in advancing PV systems. Alongside established approaches, numerous innovative materials and concepts remain under research. These developments may enable substantial improvements in efficiency while reducing costs in the future. A mathematical function has been identified that successfully fits past laboratory efficiency records. By applying this function, researchers can estimate the likely trajectory of efficiency improvements across different PV technologies in the coming decades.