Progress in PV technology development under the New Sunshine Program JFY1997-2000-solar cell manufacturing technology

Triggered by the oil crisis in the early 1970s, the Sunshine Project was launched in 1974 as a national program to develop oil-alternative energy sources. New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) was established to implement it in 1980. Renamed the New Sunshine Program in 1993, it was concluded in 2000. Developments of manufacturing technologies were performed for thin film solar cells and compound solar cells during the four years of JFY1997-2000 under the program. Numerous positive results regarding them were reported.