(FR2694133-A1)      The thin-film solar cell comprises a thin active layer of highly pure material for photoelectric conversion, a structure for carrying the active layer, and a contact electrode.    The structure consists of a carrier substrate made of a material of low purity, and a barrier layer for protecting the active layer against impurities entering by diffusion. The electrode is located at the rear of the carrier substrate.    A barrier layer is formed on the top surface of a prepared substrate. This layer is followed in succession by active layers of highly pure materials with the first and second mode of conduction, and an antireflection film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In manufacture of solar cells. The amount of high-purity material and, as a consequence, the cost of solar cells are reduced. Such cells are simply joinable into modules.    (JP6090014-A)      The thin-film solar cell comprises a thin active layer (111) of highly pure material for photoelectric conversion, a structure for carrying the active layer, and a contact electrode (116).    The structure consists of a carrier substrate (110) made of a material of low purity, and a barrier layer (121) for protecting the active layer (111) against impurities entering by diffusion. The electrode is located at the rear of the carrier substrate.    A barrier layer is formed on the top surface of a prepared substrate. This layer is followed in succession by active layers of highly pure materials with the first and second mode of conduction, and an antireflection film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In manufacture of solar cells. The amount of high-purity material and, as a consequence, the cost of solar cells are reduced. Such cells are simply joinable into modules.    (US5397400-A)      The thin film solar cell comprises (a) a thin active layer of high purity semiconductor material having a pn junction, for high light-to-electricity conversion, (b) av structure to support the active layer, comprising (i) a substrate of lower purity semiconductor material having a central opening, the rear surface of the active layer contacting the front surface of the support, and (ii) an insulating barrier layer between the front of the support and rear surface of the active layer to prevent impurities differing from the support into the active layer, the rear of the active layer being exposed in the opening, and (c) a rear electrode on the rear of the substrate and contacting the rear of the active layer in the opening.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced prodn. costs. Desired etching depth is obtd. even if etching rate varies during etching. Mask removal step is not required.    (US5963790-A)      The thin-film solar cell comprises a thin active layer (111) of highly pure material for photoelectric conversion, a structure for carrying the active layer, and a contact electrode (116).    The structure consists of a carrier substrate (110) made of a material of low purity, and a barrier layer (121) for protecting the active layer (111) against impurities entering by diffusion. The electrode is located at the rear of the carrier substrate.    A barrier layer is formed on the top surface of a prepared substrate. This layer is followed in succession by active layers of highly pure materials with the first and second mode of conduction, and an antireflection film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In manufacture of solar cells. The amount of high-purity material and, as a consequence, the cost of solar cells are reduced. Such cells are simply joinable into modules.    (DE4324647-C2)      The thin-film solar cell comprises a thin active layer (111) of highly pure material for photoelectric conversion, a structure for carrying the active layer, and a contact electrode (116).    The structure consists of a carrier substrate (110) made of a material of low purity, and a barrier layer (121) for protecting the active layer (111) against impurities entering by diffusion. The electrode is located at the rear of the carrier substrate.    A barrier layer is formed on the top surface of a prepared substrate. This layer is followed in succession by active layers of highly pure materials with the first and second mode of conduction, and an antireflection film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In manufacture of solar cells. The amount of high-purity material and, as a consequence, the cost of solar cells are reduced. Such cells are simply joinable into modules.