(US5853498-A)      Thin layer solar cell has at least one series of p-, un(i)- and n-doped layers, a TCO (transparent conductive oxide) layer adjacent to the first p-doped layer and an esp. metallic contact layer bonded to the last n-doped layer. The novel features are that (a) an n-doped intermediate layer is provided between the TCO layer and the p-doped layer adjacent to this; and (b) at least the intermediate layer or the adjacent p-doped layer is microcrystalline.    Pref. the n-doped intermediate layer consists of monocrystalline SiC or SiO. The sum of the thicknesses of the intermediate layer and the p-doped layer bonded to this does not exceed the thickness of an optimised p-layer on the same TCO layer. The TCO layer consists of ZnO or Tio2 and forms the substrate for the layers forming the solar cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The solar cell has lower TCO-p-contact resistance than usual and hence higher filling factor (FF) or o.c. voltage (Voc) and favourable efficiency (y), esp. if ZnO or TiO23 is used as TCO.    (DE9422400-U1)      Thin layer solar cell has at least one series of p-, un(i)- and n-doped layers, a TCO (transparent conductive oxide) layer adjacent to the first p-doped layer and an esp. metallic contact layer bonded to the last n-doped layer. The novel features are that (a) an n-doped intermediate layer is provided between the TCO layer and the p-doped layer adjacent to this; and (b) at least the intermediate layer or the adjacent p-doped layer is microcrystalline.    Pref. the n-doped intermediate layer consists of monocrystalline SiC or SiO. The sum of the thicknesses of the intermediate layer and the p-doped layer bonded to this does not exceed the thickness of an optimised p-layer on the same TCO layer. The TCO layer consists of ZnO or Tio2 and forms the substrate for the layers forming the solar cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The solar cell has lower TCO-p-contact resistance than usual and hence higher filling factor (FF) or o.c. voltage (Voc) and favourable efficiency (y), esp. if ZnO or TiO23 is used as TCO.