Advanced materials for flexible solar cell applications

The solar power is one of the most promising renewable energy resources, but the high cost and complicated preparation technology of solar cells become the bottleneck of the wide application in many fields. The most important parameter for solar cells is the conversion efficiency, while at the same time more efficient preparation technologies and flexible structures should also be taken under significant consideration [1]. Especially with the rapid development of wearable devices, people are looking forward to the applications of solar cell technology in various areas of life. In this article the flexible solar cells, which have gained increasing attention in the field of flexibility in recent years, are introduced. The latest progress in flexible solar cells materials and manufacturing technologies is overviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of different manufacturing processes are systematically discussed.