Abstract:
A method of forming a photovoltaic element according to the present invention comprises at least the steps of depositing a metal layer on a supporting member, depositing a metal oxide layer on the above metal layer, and arranging at least one or more pin structures, each of which is formed by stacking the predetermined n-type, i-type and p-type semiconductor layers, on a substrate formed by stacking on the above supporting member, the above metal layer and the above metal oxide layer in this order, wherein a step of subjecting the supporting member having the metal layer formed thereon to heat treatment is carried out between the two steps of depositing the above metal layer and depositing the above metal oxide layer. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of forming a photovoltaic element which enables the solution of the problem that defective portions appear in a semiconductor layer because the semiconductor layer, which functions as a photoelectric converting layer, formed on irregularities of a metal layer surface cannot fully cover the metal layer due to the existence of projecting portions or portions with great height difference on a part of the irregularities.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method of forming a photovoltaic element. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of forming a photovoltaic element which enables the solution of the problem caused by irregularities formed on a metal layer surface of a photovoltaic element, in other words, the problem of defective portions appearing in a photovoltaic element because the photoelectric converting layer formed on the irregularities of the metal layer surface cannot fully cover the metal layer due to the existence of projecting portions or portions with great height difference in a part of the irregularities. The present invention is suitably applied particularly when forming photovoltaic elements such as solar cells and sensors utilizing non-single-crystalline semiconductors such as of amorphous silicon, microcrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon-germanium alloy and polycrystalline silicon. 
     2. Related Background Art 
     In photovoltaic elements for use in solar cells etc., their metal layers and metal oxide layers, which are provided under semiconductor layers functioning as photoelectric converting layers, have been devised in various ways in order to effectively utilize the light with which the photovoltaic elements are illuminated. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-218977, for example, there is disclosed a technique in which reflection at a light reflection layer is improved by depositing a discontinuous metal layer having irregularities thereon and a continuous metal oxide layer of a uniform thickness on the above metal layer. However, in order to improve the photoelectric conversion factor (efficiency) of the photovoltaic element, further improvement in reflection is desired. 
     In Japanese Patent Application laid-Open No. 6-116722, there is disclosed a method of forming metal layers and transparent electrode layers continuously by the sputtering method while moving a long substrate (generally referred to as Roll to Roll method). With a system for forming such layers to which this method is applicable, devices can be formed continuously without stopping the system for hours, thereby high productivity can be obtained. 
     In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-92857, there is disclosed a method of forming a satisfactory photovoltaic element in which a reflection layer is deposited on a supporting member, the supporting member with the reflection layer is cooled to 100° C. or lower before stacking a reflection increasing layer thereon, so as to control oxidation of the reflection layer surface and improve the films closely touching with each other. 
     In the methods of forming a photovoltaic element according to the prior arts, when continuing deposition for hours, a problem as described below arises, due to a change in depositing conditions with time, which makes it hard to obtain a photovoltaic element with high reliability and stable performance. 
     As one of the methods of forming thin films such as a metal layer, the sputtering method is used in which a high energy is applied to a bulk material to form its particles and the particles are deposited on a supporting member to form a thin film. In this case, however, the deposited particles lose most of their energy in an instant; accordingly, thin films are often formed in an instance before they reach thermal equilibrium by this method. 
     On the other hand, a metal layer provided under a semiconductor layer functioning as a photoelectric converting layer can effectively reflect the light having transmitted the photoelectric converting layer if its surface has irregularities. As described above, however, since the metal layer is formed before its particles reach thermal equilibrium, there are likely to exist remarkably projecting portions or portions with great height difference between the concavities and convexities in a part of the irregularities; as a result, defective portions may be generated because, for example, the photoelectric converting layer formed on the irregularities cannot fully cover the metal layer. In such a photovoltaic element formed on a supporting member, there has been a problem of short-circuit current being generated at the defective portions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a photovoltaic element which enables the solution of the problem caused by the irregularities formed on a metal layer surface of a photovoltaic element, in other words, the problem of defective portions appearing in the photovoltaic element because a semiconductor layer formed on the irregularities of the metal layer surface and functioning as a photoelectric converting layer cannot fully cover the metal layer due to the existence of remarkably projecting portions or portions with great height difference in a part of the irregularities. As a result, the present invention provides a method for stably forming a photovoltaic element of high quality, good uniformity, and high reproductivity which produces less defects and causes no short circuit in the current flow generated on the semiconductor layer. 
     The method of forming a photovoltaic element according to the present invention comprises at least the steps of: depositing a metal layer on a supporting member; depositing a metal oxide layer on the above metal layer; and arranging at least one or more pin structures, which is formed by stacking n-type, i-type and p-type silicon-containing non-single-crystalline semiconductor layers, on a substrate formed by stacking the metal layer and the metal oxide layer on the above supporting member, wherein a step of subjecting the supporting member having the above metal layer formed thereon to heat treatment is carried out between the step of depositing the above metal layer and the step of depositing the above metal oxide layer. 
     Providing the step of subjecting the supporting member having the above metal layer formed thereon to heat treatment restricts the generation of the projections and the great height difference in a part of the irregularities formed on the surface of the metal layer; therefore, a semiconductor layer formed on the irregularities and functioning as a photoelectric converting layer can fully cover the metal layer. As a result, defective portions appearing on the semiconductor layer are decreased, which enables the stable formation of a photovoltaic element which does not cause short circuit in the current flow generated on the semiconductor layer. 
     The above heat treatment step is preferably a step in which cooling treatment, heating treatment and cooling treatment are carried out once or repeated plural times in this order. 
     In the above, the temperature decreasing speed of the supporting member in the above cooling treatment is preferably 1° C./sec or higher and 50° C./sec or lower, the temperature increasing speed of the supporting member in the above heating treatment is desirably 10° C./sec or higher and 100° C./sec or lower, and the temperature for heating the supporting member in the above heating treatment is suitably 100° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the single type photovoltaic element according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the triple type photovoltaic element according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the system, the multi-chamber separation type system, for forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer both constituting a substrate for a photovoltaic element according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the system, the multi-chamber separation type system, for forming semiconductor layers constituting a pin structure according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the system, the Roll to Roll type system, for forming semiconductor layers constituting a pin structure according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the system, the Roll to Roll type system, for forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer which constitute a substrate for a photovoltaic element according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the system, the Roll to Roll type system, for forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer which constitute a substrate for a photovoltaic element according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The method of forming photovoltaic elements according to the present invention and the action of the photovoltaic elements will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Photovoltaic Element 
     The photovoltaic elements formed by the method according to the present invention include, for example, those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the photovoltaic elements having a single pin structure, and FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the photovoltaic elements having three pin structures. The photovoltaic elements will be described in detail based on FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the photovoltaic elements having a single pin structure. The photovoltaic elements having a single pin structure are divided into two types: one type in which irradiation of light is carried out from the side opposite to a substrate and the other type in which irradiation of light is carried out from the substrate side. 
     One example of the photovoltaic elements in which irradiation of light is carried out from the side opposite to a substrate consists of a substrate  190  consisting of a supporting member  100 , a metal layer  101  and a metal oxide layer  102 ; a first n-type layer (or p-type layer)  103 ; n/i (or p/i) buffer layer  151 ; a first i-type layer  104 ; an i/p (or i/n) buffer layer  161 ; a first p-type layer (or n-type layer)  105 ; a transparent electrode  112 ; and a current collecting electrode  113 , in a bottom-to-top order. The constitution of one example of the photovoltaic elements in which irradiation of light is carried out from the substrate side is the same as the above example, except that the supporting member  100 , the metal layer  101 , the metal oxide layer  102  and the transparent electrode  112  are replaced with a translucent supporting member, a transparent electro-conductive layer, an antireflection layer and an electro-conductive layer also serving as a light reflection layer, respectively. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of one example of the photovoltaic elements having three pin structures. The photovoltaic elements having three pin structures are also divided into two types: one type in which irradiation of light is carried out from the side opposite to a substrate and the other type in which irradiation of light is carried out from the substrate side. 
     One example of the photovoltaic elements having three pin structures in which irradiation of light is carried out from the side opposite to a substrate consists of a substrate  290  consisting of a supporting member  200 , a metal layer  201  and a metal oxide layer  202 ; a first n-type layer (or p-type layer)  203 ; n/i (or p/i) buffer layer  251 ; a first i-type layer  204 ; an i/p (or i/n) buffer layer  261 ; a first p-type layer (or n-type layer)  205 ; a second n-type layer (or p-type layer)  206 ; n/i (or p/i) buffer layer  252 ; a second i-type layer  207 ; an i/p (or i/n) buffer layer  262 ; a second p-type layer (or n-type layer)  208 ; a third n-type layer (or p-type layer)  209 ; a third i-type layer  210 ; a third p-type layer (or n-type layer)  211 ; a transparent electrode  212 ; and a current collecting electrode  213 , in a bottom-to-top order. 
     The constitution of one example of the photovoltaic elements having three pin structures in which irradiation of light is carried out from the substrate side is the same as the above example, except that the supporting member  200 , the metal layer  201 , the metal oxide layer  202  and the transparent electrode  212  are replaced with a translucent supporting member, a transparent electro-conductive layer, an antireflection layer and an electro-conductive layer also serving as a light reflection layer, respectively. 
     Apparatus and Method for forming Metal Layer and Metal Oxide Layer 
     The apparatus for forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer of the photovoltaic elements according to the present invention include, for example, those shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. FIG.  3  and FIG. 6 are schematic sectional views of one example of the formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system and one example of the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system, respectively. Hereinafter a lamination of a metal layer and a metal oxide layer shall be referred to as light reflection layer. 
     The formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system shown in FIG. 3 will be described below. 
     The formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system  300  consists of a load-lock chamber  301 , transportation chambers  302 ,  303  and  304 , an unload chamber  305 , gate valves  306 ,  307 ,  308  and  309 , heaters  310 ,  311  and  312  for heating a supporting member, a supporting member transporting rail  313 , a metal layer deposition chamber  320 , a heat treatment chamber  330 , a metal oxide layer deposition chamber  340 , target electrodes  322  and  342 , gas feed pipes  324 ,  334  and  344 , sputtering power sources  325  and  345 , target shutters  326  and  346 . On the target electrodes  322  and  342  targets  321  and  341  are arranged, respectively, and on the rail  313  for transporting a supporting member a supporting member  390  is arranged. 
     To the apparatus for forming metal layers and metal oxide layers shown in FIG. 3, raw material gas supplying systems (not shown in the figure) are connected via gas feed pipes. To the respective raw material gas supplying apparatus, cylinders each containing for ultrapure hydrogen gas, argon gas and helium gas are connected. And as the target  321  a metal for the metal layer is arranged, and as the target  341  a metal oxide for the metal oxide layer is arranged. 
     Then one example of the methods of forming metal layers and metal oxide layers will be described with reference to the formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system shown in FIG.  3 . The numerals in parentheses denote the procedure for forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layers. 
     (1) The supporting member is subjected to ultrasonic cleaning with acetone and isopropanol and warm-air drying. The supporting member having been subjected to ultrasonic cleaning is arranged on the supporting member transporting rail  313  in the load chamber  301 , and the load chamber  301  is subjected to evacuation to about 1×10 −5  Torr with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure. 
     (2) The supporting member is transported into the transportation chamber  302  and the deposition chamber  320 , which has been previously evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure, by opening the gate valve  306  The supporting member  390  is heated at a temperature increasing speed of 10 to 100° C./sec, while the backside of the supporting member  390  and the heater  310  for heating the supporting member closely touching with each other, the temperature of the supporting member is set to 200° C. to 500° C., and the deposition chamber  320  is evacuated to a pressure of about 3×10 −4  Torr with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure. 
     (3) Ar gas is introduced into the deposition chamber  320  through the gas feed pipe  324  at a desired flow rate, the pressure is controlled to become 1 to 30 mTorr with a conductance valve not shown in the figure, an electric current is passed through a toroidal coil  323 , and 100 to 1000 V of DC power is applied from the sputtering power source  325 , so as to generate Ar plasma. 
     (4) The target shutter  326  is opened so as to form a metal layer  101  consisting of Ag on the surface of a stainless steal plate, and the same shutter is closed once the metal layer  101  becomes 0.25 to 1 μm thick, so as to extinguish the plasma. 
     (5) The heater  310  for heating the supporting member is moved up, and after the supporting member is cooled in the atmosphere of He gas, as a cooling gas, at a temperature decreasing speed of 1 to 50° C./sec to 100° C. or lower, the supporting member is transported into the transportation chamber  303  and the deposition chamber  330 , which has been evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure previously, by opening the gate valve  307 . 
     (6) The supporting member  390  is heated at a temperature increasing speed of 10 to 100° C./sec, while the backside of the supporting member  390  and the heater  311  for heating the supporting member closely touching with each other, the temperature of the supporting member is set to 100 to 400° C. and the pressure of the deposition chamber  330  is controlled with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure via a conductance valve not shown in the figure so as to become about 1 to 30 mTorr, and the metal layer is treated by heating. At this point, an inert gas, for example, hydrogen gas, argon gas or helium gas may be fed through the gas feed pipe  334 . In this case, heating is carried out at a constant temperature at least for 1 minute or longer. 
     (7) The heater  311  for heating the supporting member is moved up, and after the supporting member is cooled in the atmosphere of He gas, as a cooling gas, at a temperature decreasing speed of 1 to 50° C./sec to 100° C. or lower, the supporting member is transported into the transportation chamber  304  and the deposition chamber  340 , which has been evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure previously, by opening the gate valve  308 . 
     (8) The supporting member  390  Is heated at a temperature increasing speed of 10 to 100° C./sec, while the backside of the supporting member  390  and the heater  312  for heating the supporting member closely touching with each other, the temperature of the supporting member is set to 290° C. and then the deposition chamber  340  is evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure to about 2×10 −5  Torr. 
     (9) Ar gas is introduced into the deposition chamber  340  through the gas feed pipe  344  at a desired flow rate, the pressure is controlled to become 6 mTorr with a conductance valve not shown in the figure, an electric current is passed through a toroidal coil  343 , and 100 to 1000 V of DC power is applied from the sputtering power source  345 , so as to generate Ar plasma. 
     (10) The target shutter  346  is opened so as to form a metal oxide layer  102  on the surface of the metal layer  101  consisting of Ag, and the same shutter is closed once the metal oxide layer  102  becomes 0.05 to 4 μm thick, so as to extinguish the plasma. 
     (11) The heater  312  for heating the supporting member is moved up, and after the supporting member is cooled in the atmosphere of He gas, as a cooling gas, at a temperature decreasing speed of 1 to 50° C./sec to 100° C. or lower, the supporting member is transported into the unload chamber  305 , which has been evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure previously, by opening the gate valve  309 . Thus metal layer and metal oxide layer according to the present invention are formed. 
     The apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system for forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer shown in FIG. 6 will be described below. The formation apparatus  600  consists of a substrate feed chamber  610 , a plurality of deposition chambers  611  to  613  and a substrate winding chamber  614  all of which are connected to each other in sequence via separation passages  616 ,  617 ,  618  and  619 , and each deposition chamber has an outlet through which the chamber can be evacuated. 
     Then the method of forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer by using the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system shown in FIG. 6 will be described. 
     A strip supporting member  621  is transported from the substrate feed chamber  610  toward the substrate winding chamber  614  through each deposition chamber and each separation passage. During this transportation, predetermined metal and metal oxide layers are formed on the strip supporting member  621 , which is moving, by introducing gas from gas inlets in each deposition chamber and each separate passage and exhausting the gas from each outlet. 
     In the deposition chamber  611  a metal layer consisting of Ag is formed, and in the deposition chamber  613  a metal oxide layer consisting of ZnO is. formed. In the deposition chamber  612  deposition is not carried out and the chamber  612  is used as a heat treatment chamber. Inside each deposition chamber, lamp heaters  641 ,  642  and  643  for heating the substrate from its backside are installed, so that the strip supporting member is heated to a predetermined temperature. The separation passages  616 ,  617 ,  618  and  619  have a temperature decreasing function of the present invention. 
     In the deposition chamber  611 , a metal layer consisting of Ag is formed on the strip supporting member  621  by introducing Ar gas etc. through a gas inlet  632  and using a metal for a target  650 , in accordance with the DC magnetron sputtering method. 
     Then, the supporting member having a metal layer formed thereon is subjected to cooling treatment with an atmospheric gas in the separation passage  617 , subjected to heating treatment by introducing Ar gas through a gas inlet  634  in the heat treatment chamber  612 , and again subjected to cooling treatment with an atmospheric gas in the separation passage  618 . 
     In the deposition chamber  613 , a metal oxide layer consisting of ZnO is formed on the metal layer consisting of Ag by introducing Ar gas eta. through a gas inlet  636  and using a metal oxide for a target  670 , in accordance with the DC magnetron sputtering method or RF magnetron sputtering method. 
     The strip supporting member  621  having the metal layer and metal oxide layer according to the present invention formed thereon under predetermined conditions is wound up into the substrate winding chamber  614 . 
     Apparatus for and Method of forming Semiconductor Layer 
     The apparatus according to the present invention for forming semiconductor layers constituting a pin structure include, for example, those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic sectional views of one example of the formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system and one example of the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system, respectively. 
     Now the formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The formation apparatus  400  shown in FIG. 4 consists of a load chamber  401 , transportation chambers  402 ,  403  and  404 , an unload chamber  405 , gate valves  406 ,  407 ,  408  and  409 , heaters  410 ,  411  and  412  for heating a substrate, a substrate transporting rail  413 , an n-type layer (or p-type layer) deposition camber  417 , an i-type layer deposition chamber  418 , a p-type layer (or n-type layer) deposition camber  419 , cups  420  and  421  for generating plasma, power sources  422 ,  423  and  424 , a microwave introducing window  425 , a waveguide  426 , gas feed pipes  429 ,  449  and  469 , valves  430 ,  431 ,  432 ,  433 ,  434 ,  441 ,  442 ,  443 ,  444 ,  450 ,  451 ,  452 ,  453 ,  454 ,  455 ,  461 ,  462 ,  463 ,  464 ,  465 ,  470 ,  471 ,  472 ,  473 ,  474 ,  481 ,  482 ,  482  and  484 , mass flow controllers  436 ,  437 ,  438 ,  439 ,  456 ,  457 ,  458 ,  459 ,  460 ,  476 ,  477 ,  478  and  479 , a shutter  427 , a bias rod  428 , a substrate holder  490 , an exhaust system not shown in the figure, a microwave power source not shown in the figure, a vacuum gauge not shown in the figure, and a controller not shown in the figure. 
     The formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system shown in FIG. 5 will be described below. The formation apparatus  5000  shown in FIG. 5 consists of a load chamber  5010  for introducing a sheet substrate, an unload chamber  5150 , and  13  deposition chambers consisting of a first n-type layer deposition chamber  5020 , a first RF-i layer (n/i) deposition chamber  5030 , a first MW-i layer deposition chamber  5040 , a first RF-i layer (p/i) deposition chamber  5050 , a first p-layer deposition chamber  5060 , a second n-type layer deposition chamber  5070 , a second RF-i layer (n/i) deposition chamber  5080 , a second MW-i layer deposition chamber  5090 , a second RF-i layer (p/i) deposition chamber  5100 , a second p-type layer deposition chamber  5110 , a third n-type layer deposition chamber  5120 , a third RF-i layer (f/i) deposition chamber  5130  and a third p-type layer deposition chamber  5140  all of which are connected to each other in sequence between the above load chamber  5010  and the unload chamber  5150 . 
     Between the adjacent chambers, all of which constitute the apparatus  5000  for forming semiconductor layers shown in FIG. 5, there are provided gas gates ( 5201 ,  5202 ,  5203 ,  5204 ,  5205 ,  5206 ,  5207 ,  5208 ,  5209 ,  5210 ,  5211 ,  5212 ,  5213  and  5214 ) via which the above chambers are connected in sequence. And for the respective gas gates provided are gas feed pipes ( 5301 ,  5302 ,  5303 ,  5304 ,  5305 ,  5306 ,  5307 ,  5308 ,  5309 ,  5310 ,  5311 ,  5312 ,  5313  and  5314 ) for feeding gas thereto. For the load chamber  5010 , the unload chamber  5150  and the respective deposition chambers exhaust pumps ( 5012 ,  5022 ,  5032 ,  5042 ,  5052 ,  5062 ,  5072 ,  5082 ,  5092 ,  5102 ,  5112 ,  5122 ,  5132 ,  5142  and  5152 ) are provided via exhaust pipes ( 5011 ,  5021 ,  5031 ,  5041 ,  5051 ,  5061 ,  5071 ,  5081 ,  5091 ,  5101 ,  5111 ,  5121 ,  5131 ,  5141  and  5151 ). 
     For the respective deposition chambers all of which constitute the apparatus  5000  shown in FIG. 5, mixing apparatuses ( 5026 ,  5036 ,  5046 ,  5056 ,  5066 ,  5076 ,  5086 ,  5096 ,  5106 ,  5116 ,  5126 ,  5136  and  5146 ) are provided via raw material gas supplying pipes ( 5025 ,  5035 ,  5045 ,  5055 ,  5065 ,  5075 ,  5085 ,  5095 ,  5105 ,  5115 ,  5125 ,  5135  and  5145 ). And for the respective deposition chambers, radio-frequency (hereinafter referred to as “RF”) power supplies ( 5024 ,  5034 ,  5044 ,  5054 ,  5064 ,  5074 ,  5084 ,  5094 ,  5104 ,  5114 ,  5124 ,  5134  and  5144 ) are provided via RF supplying coaxial cables ( 5023 ,  5033 ,  5043 ,  5053 ,  5063 ,  5073 ,  5083 ,  5093 ,  5103 ,  5113 ,  5123 ,  5133  and  5143 ). 
     In the load chamber  5010  and the unload chamber  5150 , a sheet delivery jig  5400  and a sheet winding jig  5402  are provided, respectively, in such a manner that a sheet substrate  5401  delivered from the sheet delivery jig  5400  passes through the aforementioned  13  deposition chambers and is wound by the sheet winding jig  5402 . 
     Further, to each of the first and second MW-i layer deposition chambers  5040  and  5090 , a coaxial cable for applying bias, a power source and an exhaust gas treating apparatus not shown in the figure are connected. 
     Supporting Member 
     The materials used for the supporting member according to the present invention are preferably such that they cause less deformation and distortion at the temperature required for the formation of a photovoltaic element, have a desired strength, and are electrically conductive. Further, the supporting member is preferably such that, even after being subjected to hydrogen plasma treatment, which is carried out after deposition of a metal layer and a metal oxide layer, it can remain closely touching the metal layer and the metal oxide layer. 
     In particular, the preferable materials include, for example, thin films of stainless steel, aluminum and Its alloys, iron and its alloys, and copper and its alloys; the composites thereof; the materials obtained by subjecting the above thin films and composite materials to surface coating with metal thin films of different materials and/or with insulating thin films of SiO 2 , Si 3 N 4 , Al 2 O 3 , AlN, etc. by the methods such as sputtering, evaporating and plating; the materials obtained by subjecting the surface of the heat-resistant resin sheet of polyimides, polyamides, poly(ethylene terephthalate), epoxy or the like, or the composites of these materials and glass fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, metal fiber or the like to conductivity treatment with a simple substance of metal or an alloy thereof and a transparent conductive oxide by the methods such as plating, evaporating, sputtering and coating. 
     The supporting member is preferably as thin as possible in terms of its cost, storage space, etc., as long as it is sufficiently strong to maintain its curved shape formed during its movement. To be concrete, the thickness of the supporting member is preferably 0.01 mm to 5 mm, more preferably 0.02 mm to 2 mm, and most preferably 0.05 mm to 1 mm. when using a thin film of metal, even if it is made relatively thin, a desired strength is easy to obtain. 
     The width of the supporting member is not restricted, and it depends on the size of the vacuum container, etc. The length of the supporting member is not restricted, either. The supporting member may be as long as it can be wound in roll, or it may be obtained by elongating a long supporting member by welding, etc. 
     In the present invention, although the supporting member is heated and cooled in a short period of time, since it is not preferable for the distribution of temperature to expand in the longitudinal direction, the heat conduction of the supporting member is desirably as low as possible in the direction of movement, and in order for the temperature of the supporting member to follow the heating treatment and cooling treatment, the heat conduction is preferably high in the direction of thickness. 
     In order to allow the heat conduction of the supporting member to become low in the direction of movement and become high in the direction of thickness, its thickness should be small. When the thickness of the supporting member is uniform, the value of heat conduction multiplied by thickness is preferably 1×10 −1  W/K or smaller, more preferably 5×10 −2  W/K or smaller. 
     Metal Layer 
     The materials used for the metal layers according to the present invention include, for example, metals such as Ag, Au, Pt, Ni, Cr, Cu. Al, Ti, Zn, Mo and W and the alloys thereof. The thin films of these metals are formed, for example, by the methods such as vacuum evaporation, electron beam evaporation, sputtering. The sheet resistance value of each metal layer is preferably 50 Ω or lower and more preferably 10 Ω or lower so that the metal thin film formed should not become a resistant component against the output power of the photovoltaic element. 
     Metal Oxide Layer 
     In the metal oxide layers according to the present invention, their transmittance of light is desirably 85% or higher so that light from the sun and a white fluorescent lamp is effectively absorbed into each semiconductor layer. From the electrical viewpoint, their sheet resistance is desirably 100 Ω or lower so that they should not become a resistant component against the output power of the photovoltaic element. The materials having these properties include, for example, metal oxides such as SnO 2 , In 2 O 3 , ZnO, CdO, Cd 2 SnO 4  and ITO (In 2 O 3 +SnO 2 ). 
     In some cases, the metal oxide layer is stacked on the p-type semiconductor layer or n-type semiconductor layer of the photovoltaic element, and in the other cases, when the photovoltaic element is formed on a light-transmitting type supporting member and it is irradiated with light from the side of the light-transmitting type supporting member, the metal oxide layer is stacked between the supporting member and the photovoltaic element. In either case, the materials for the metal oxide layer should be selected so that the metal oxide layer and the layers adjacent to both the upper and lower sides of the metal oxide layer can closely touch with each other. 
     The metal oxide layer is preferably deposited to the thickness which meets the requirements of increasing reflection. The methods of forming the metal oxide layers used include, for example, the resistance heating evaporation method, the electron beam evaporation method, the sputtering method and the spray method, and the proper one is selected according to the requirement. In addition, the metal oxide layers according to the present invention may be formed by the reactive sputtering method in which the metals constituting the aforementioned metal oxides are targeted. 
     Semiconductor Layer 
     For the semiconductor layers according to the present invention non-single-crystalline silicon semiconductors are suitably used. And in the formation of such semiconductors, CVD apparatuses utilizing high-frequency electric power and microwave electric power can be used. In the formation of a photovoltaic element having the construction shown in FIG. 1, a semiconductor layer  108  may be formed in an apparatus which is connected to an apparatus for forming a metal layer  101  and a metal oxide layer  102  in such a manner as to construct a single vacuum chamber, or it may be formed in another apparatus. 
     An amorphous silicon (a-Si) stacked nip semiconductor junction is formed using H 2  gas while a gas consisting mainly of the atoms belonging to the IV group of the periodic table is introduced as a material gas into a vacuum chamber and a gas containing the atoms belonging to the V group of the periodic table is introduced into each of the p-type and n-type layers. Suitably this semiconductor layer is of an amorphous type or microcrystalline type, however it is not limited to these specific crystalline forms. Further, the semiconductor junction can have a pin construction instead of a nip construction and a plurality of semiconductor junctions can be stacked. 
     As the compounds which contain silicon atoms and can be gasified used are, for example, linear or cyclic silane compounds. To be concrete, the compounds include, for example, SiH 4 , Si 2 H 6 , SiF 4 , SiFH 3 , SiF 2 H 2 , SiF 3 H, Si 3 H 8 , SiD 4 , SiHD 3 , SiH 2 D 2 , SiH 3 D, SiFD 3 , SiF 2 D 3 , SiF 3 D, Si 2 D 3 H 3 , (SiF 2 ) 5 , (SiF 2 ) 6 , (SiF 2 ) 4 , Si 2 F 6 , Si 3 F 8 , Si 2 H 2 F 4 , Si 2 H 3 F 3 , SiCl 4 , (SiCl 2 ) 5 , SiBr 4 , (SiBr 2 ) 6 , Si 2 Cl 6, SiHCl   3 , SiH 2 Br 2 , SiH 2 Cl 2  and Si 2 Cl 3 F 3  which are in the gas state or can be easily gasified. 
     The compounds containing germanium atoms include, for example, GeH 4 , GeD 4 , GeF 4 , GeFH 3 , GeF 3 H, GeH 2 D 2 , GeH 3 D, GeH 6  and Ge 2 D 6 . 
     The substances introduced into the p-type layer or n-type layer so as to control charged electrons include, for example, the atoms belonging to the III group and the V group of the periodic table. 
     The starting substances effectively used for introducing the III group atoms, to be concrete, the starting substances effectively used for introducing boron atoms include, for example, boron hydrides such as B 2 H 6 , B 4 H 10 , B 5 H 9 , B 5 H 11 , B 6 H 10 , B 6 H 12  and B 6 GH 14  and boron halides such as BF 3  and BCl 3 . And AlCl 3 , GaCl 3 , InCl 3  and TlCl 3  are also included in the starting substances effectively used for introducing the III group atoms. Of all the above B 2 H 6  and BF 3  are particularly suitable. 
     The starting substances effectively used for introducing the V group atoms, to be concrete, the starting substances effectively used for introducing phosphorus atoms include, for example, phosphorus hydrides such as PH 3  and P 2 H 4  and phosphorus halides such as PH 4 I, PF 3 , PF 5 , PCl 3 , PCl 5 , PBr 3 , PBr 5  and PI 3 . And AlH 3 , AsF 3 , AsCl 3 , AsBr 3 , AsF 6 , SbH 3 , SbF 3 , SbCl 3 , SbCl 5 , BiH 3 , BiCl 3  and BiBr 3  are also included in the starting substances effectively used for introducing the V group atoms. Of all the above PH 3  and PF 3  are particularly suitable. 
     The above compounds which can be gasified may be diluted appropriately with gas such as H 2 , He, Ne, Ar, Xe, Kr, etc. and introduced into a deposition chamber. 
     Transparent Electrode 
     In the transparent electrode according to the present invention, its transmittance of light is desirably 85% or higher so that light from the sun and a white fluorescent lamp is effectively absorbed into each semiconductor layer. From the electrical viewpoint, its sheet resistance value is desirably 100 Ω or lower so that they should not become a resistant component against the output power of the photovoltaic element. The materials having these properties include, for example, metal oxides such as SnO 2 , In 2 O 3 , ZnO, CdO, Cd 2 SnO 4  and ITO (In 2 O 3 +SnO 2 ) and metal thin films formed by depositing Au, Al, Cu, etc. in the form of semi-transparent extremely thin film. 
     In some cases, the transparent electrode is stacked on the p-type semiconductor layer or n-type semiconductor layer of the photovoltaic element, and in the other cases, when the photovoltaic element is formed on a light-transmitting type supporting member and it is irradiated with light from the side of the light-transmitting type supporting member, the transparent electrode is stacked on the supporting member. In either case, the materials for the transparent electrode should be selected so that the transparent electrode, p- and n-type layers and the supporting member can closely touch with each other. The transparent electrode is preferably deposited to the thickness which meets the antireflection requirement. The methods of forming the transparent electrode include, for example, the resistance heating evaporation method, the electron beam evaporation method, the sputtering method and the spray method, and the proper one is selected according to the requirement. 
     Current Collecting Electrode 
     As the current collecting electrodes of the photovoltaic element according to the present invention suitably used are those formed of silver paste by the screen printing method or those formed of Cr, Ag, Au, Cu, Ni, Mo or Al by the vacuum evaporation method using a mask. The current collecting electrodes may be formed by attaching metal wires of Cu, Au, Ag and Al to which carbon or Ag powder is applied with resin on the surface of the photovoltaic element. 
     When forming a photovoltaic apparatus of a desired output voltage and output current using photovoltaic elements of the present invention, the photovoltaic elements of the present invention are connected in series or in parallel, a protecting layer is formed on each of the front and back sides thereof, and an output electrode is attached. When the photovoltaic elements of the present invention are connected in series, a reverse current protecting diode can be incorporated. 
     The examples of the methods of forming a photovoltaic element according to the present invention will be described below; however, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to these specific examples. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     In this example, a metal layer  101  and a metal oxide layer  102  shown in FIG. 1 were formed by using the formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system shown FIG. 3 
     To the apparatus of FIG. 3 a raw material gas supplying system (not shown in the figure) was connected via a feed pipe. As raw material gases used were those purified to the ultrapurity. As raw material gas cylinders connected were a H 2  gas cylinder, an Ar gas cylinder and a He gas cylinder. As targets for forming the metal layer  101  and the metal oxide layer  102 , Ag and ZnO were used, respectively, and the targets were arranged in such a manner that each of them could be subjected to sputtering under vacuum. As a supporting member used was a stainless steel plate of 0-5 mm thickness, 50×50 mm 2  which had been subjected to ultrasonic cleaning with acetone and isopropanol and warm-air drying. Ag metal layer  101  was formed by the DC magnetron sputtering method using a DC power source  325  as a sputtering power source. 
     The method of forming the Ag metal layer will be described step by step below. 
     (1) A supporting member  390  (denoted by reference numeral  100  in FIG. 1) having been subjected to cleaning was arranged on a supporting member transporting rail  313  in a load chamber  301 , and the load chamber  301  was evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure to a pressure of about 1×10 −5  Torr. 
     (2) The supporting member was transported into a transportation chamber  302  and a deposition chamber  320 , each of which was evacuated previously with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure, by opening a gate valve  306 . The supporting member  390  was heated at a temperature increasing speed of 15° C./sec, while the backside of the supporting member  390  and a heater  310  for heating the supporting member closely touching with each other, the temperature of the supporting member was set to 290° C., and then the deposition chamber  320  was evacuated to a pressure of about 3×10 −6  Torr with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure. 
     (3) At 50 sccm, Ar gas was introduced into the deposition chamber  320  through a gas feed pipe  324 , the pressure was controlled to become 6 mTorr with a conductance valve not shown in the figure, an electric current is passed through a toroidal coil  323 , and 380 V of DC power was applied from a sputtering power source  325 , so as to generate Ar plasma. 
     (4) The target shutter  326  was opened so as to form a Ag metal layer  101  on the surface of a stainless steel plate, and the same shutter was closed once the Ag metal layer  101  became 0.8 μm thick, so as to extinguish the Ar plasma. 
     (5) A heater  310  for heating the supporting member was moved upward away from the supporting member  390 , and the supporting member was cooled in the atmosphere of a supporting member cooling gas consisting of He gas at a temperature decreasing speed of 5° C./sec to 100° C. or lower Then the supporting member  390  was transported into a transportation chamber  303  and a deposition chamber  330 , which was evacuated previously with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure, by opening a gate valve  307 . The supporting member  390  was heated at a temperature increasing speed of 20° C./sec, while the backside of the supporting member  390  and a heater  311  for heating the supporting member closely touching with each other, the temperature of the supporting member was set to 290° C. and a deposition chamber  330  was evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure to a pressure of 2× −3  Torr. 
     (6) After the temperature of the supporting member reached 290° C. a heater  311  for heating a supporting member was moved upward away from the supporting member  390 , and the supporting member was cooled in the atmosphere of a supporting member cooling gas consisting of He gas at a temperature decreasing speed of 5° C./sec to 100° C. or lower. Then the supporting member  390  was transported into a transportation chamber  304  and a deposition chamber  340 , which was evacuated previously with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure, by opening a gate valve  308 . The supporting member  390  was heated at a temperature increasing speed of 20° C./sec, while the backside of the supporting member  390  and a heater  312  for heating a supporting member closely touching with each other, the temperature of the supporting member was set to 290° C. and then a deposition chamber  340  was evacuated with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure to a pressure of 2×10 6  Torr. 
     (7) At 60 sccm, Ar gas was introduced into the deposition chamber  340  through a gas feed pipe  344 , the pressure was controlled to become 6 mTorr with a conductance valve not shown in the figure, an electric current was passed through a toroidal coil  343 , and 380 V of DC power was applied from a sputtering power source  345 , so as to generate Ar plasma. Then the target shutter  346  was opened so as to form a ZnO metal oxide layer  102  on the surface of the Ag metal layer  101 , and the same shutter was closed once the ZnO metal oxide layer  102  became 1.5 μm thick, so as to extinguish the plasma. 
     (8) A heater  312  for heating a supporting member was moved up, and after the temperature of the supporting member was decreased in the atmosphere of He gas, as a supporting member cooling gas, at a temperature decreasing speed of 5° C./sec to 100° C. or lower, the supporting member  390  was transported into an unload chamber  305 , which was evacuated previously with a vacuum pump not shown in the figure, by opening a gate valve  309 . 
     A substrate  190  consisting of a supporting member and the metal layer and the metal oxide layer formed on the supporting member according to the present invention was made by the above steps. Hereinafter the light reflection layer which is layers formed on the supporting member will be referred to as “SE 1 ”. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1-1 
     In this example, a light reflection layer (SR 1 - 1 ) was formed on a supporting member in the same manner as in Example 1, except that in the heat treatment step after forming an Ag metal layer  101 , the supporting member was subjected to cooling treatment in the same manner as In example 1, but not subjected to heating treatment. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1-2 
     In this example, a light reflection layer (SR 1 - 2 ) was formed on a supporting member in the same manner as in example 1, except that in the heat treatment step after forming an Ag metal layer  101 , the supporting member was subjected to cooling treatment in the same manner as in example 1 and subjected to heating treatment at 80° C. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1-3 
     In this example, a light reflection layer (SR 1 - 3 ) was formed on a supporting member in the same manner as in example 1, except that in the heat treatment step after forming an Ag metal layer  101 , the supporting member was subjected to cooling treatment in the same manner as in example 1 and subjected to heating treatment at 450° C. 
     Five light reflection layers were formed for each of the four types layers, SE 1 , SR 1 - 1 , SR 1 - 2  and SR 1 - 3 . Table 1 shows the evaluation results of the total reflectance and irregular reflectance of each light reflection layer obtained by measuring the light reflectance thereof. The total reflectance and irregular reflectance shown in Table 1 are measurements at a wavelength of 800 nm of all the measurements obtained using a spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation: Ultraviolet Visible Near Infrared Ray Spectrophotometer V-570). And each measurement in Table 1 is expressed normalized with the measurement of SE 1  as 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Total 
                 Irregular 
               
               
                   
                 Specimen 
                 Reflectance 
                 Reflectance 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 (SE1) 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 (SR1-1) 
                 0.89 
                 0.70 
               
               
                   
                 (SR1-2) 
                 0.82 
                 0.82 
               
               
                   
                 (SR1-3) 
                 0.95 
                 0.72 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The results in Table 1 show that the light reflection layer SE 1  of example 1 is superior to any other light reflection layers (SR 1 -l, SR 1 - 2  and SR 1 - 3 ) of Reference Examples in every evaluation results. And it has been found that the decrease in total reflectance and irregular reflectance is controlled by the method of cooling a supporting member having an Ag layer as a metal layer formed thereon with He gas, heating it at a heating temperature for 2 minutes, again cooling it with He gas, and depositing ZnO as a metal oxide to form a metal oxide layer. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     In this example, a photovoltaic element shown in FIG. 1 was made by using a substrate  190 , which consists of a supporting member  100  and a metal layer  101  and a metal oxide layer  102  formed on the supporting member  100  in the same manner as in Example 1, and forming a semiconductor layer  180  on the substrate  190  by using the formation apparatus of the multi-chamber separation type system shown in FIG.  4 . 
     The apparatus  400  shown in FIG. 4 can perform both the MWPCVD method and the RFPCVD method. By using this apparatus, the semiconductor layers  180  having a predetermined layer structure were formed on the metal oxide layer  102 . Table 2 shows the conditions under which the semiconductor layers were formed. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Gas Flow Rate [sccm] 
                   
                 Electric Power 
                 Substrate 
                 Layer 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 2% 
                 2% 
                 Pressure 
                 [W/cm 2 ] 
                 Temperature 
                 Thickness 
               
               
                 Layers 
                 SiH 4   
                 GeH 4   
                 H 2   
                 PH 2 /H 2   
                 BF 2 /H 2   
                 [Torr] 
                 MW/RF 
                 [° C.] 
                 [nm] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 RF 
                 2 
                   
                 100 
                 10 
                   
                 1.3 
                 /0.05  
                 350 
                 20 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 8 
                   
                 100 
                   
                   
                 0.8 
                 /0.008 
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 MW 
                 40 
                 41 
                 100 
                   
                   
                 0.011 
                 0.13/0.33 
                 370 
                 110 
               
               
                 l-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 8 
                   
                 100 
                   
                   
                 0.75 
                 /0.008 
                 300 
                 23 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 1.1 
                   
                  40 
                   
                 80 
                 1.8 
                 /0.07  
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Then ITO of 70 nm thickness, as a transparent electro-conductive layer  112 , was formed on the RF p-type layer  105  by the vacuum evaporation method. 
     Further, after placing a comb-shaped mask with holes on the transparent electro-conductive layer  112 , an comb-shaped current collecting electrode  113  consisting of Cr (40 nm thick)/Ag (1000 nm thick)/Cr (40 nm thick) was formed by the vacuum evaporation method. 
     A photovoltaic element according to the present invention was thus made. Hereinafter this photovoltaic element will be referred to as “SCE 2 ”. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 2-1 
     A photovoltaic element (SCR 2 - 1 ) was formed in the same manner as in Example 2, except that a ZnO metal oxide layer  102  was formed after forming an Ag metal layer  101  without subjecting its supporting member to heat treatment. 
     Six photovoltaic elements were made for each of the two types photovoltaic elements (SCE 2  and SCR 2 - 1 ) as described above. 
     Table 3 shows the normalized initial photoelectric conversion factor of each photovoltaic element, the normalized results of light degradation tests (short-circuit current, open voltage) on each photovoltaic element, and the yield of each photovoltaic element. The light degradation tests were carried out by subjecting each photovoltaic element to AM-1.5 (100 mW/cm 2 ) light irradiation for 500 hours. The characteristics of photoelectric conversion factor were evaluated by subjecting each photovoltaic element to AM-1.5 (100 mW/cm 2 ) light irradiation and measure the V-I characteristics. And the yield of each photovoltaic element was evaluated. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Initial 
                 Short- 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Photoelectric 
                 circuit 
                 Open 
                   
               
               
                 Specimen 
                 Conversion Factor 
                 Current 
                 Voltage 
                 Yield 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 (SCE2) 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 (SCR2-1) 
                 0.85 
                 0.87 
                 0.90 
                 0.92 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 3 shows that the photovoltaic element (SCE 2 ) of Example 2 having a metal layer according to the present invention is superior to the photovoltaic element (SCR 2 - 1 ) in every evaluation results. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     In this example, a triple type photovoltaic element shown in FIG. 2 was formed by using the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     The supporting member used was a stainless steel sheet 300 m in length, 30 cm in width and 0.2 mm in thickness. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system for continuously forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system for continuously forming photovoltaic elements. 
     Now the method of forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer will be described. 
     The apparatus for continuously forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer shown in FIG. 6 includes a supporting member delivery chamber  610 , a plurality of deposition chambers  611  to  613 , a supporting member winding chamber  614 , all of which are arranged in sequence, and separation passages  616 ,  617 ,  618  and  619  each of which is provided between the above two adjacent chambers so as to connect all the above chambers. Each deposition chamber has an outlet through which the chamber can be evaporated. A strip supporting member  621  from the supporting member delivery chamber  610  is transported through these deposition chambers and separation passages and wound up in the supporting member winding chamber  614 . During this transportation, gas is introduced from each gas inlet of each deposition chamber and separation passage and the gas is discharged from each outlet. With such a construction, each layer can be formed. 
     In the deposition chamber  611 , a metal layer consisting of Ag was formed, in the heat treatment chamber  612  the metal layer according to the present invention was subjected to heat treatment, and the deposition chamber  613  the metal oxide layer consisting of ZnO was formed. In each deposition chamber, halogen lamp heaters  641 ,  642  and  643  for heating the supporting member from its backside are arranged, so that the temperature increase or heating of the supporting member can be conducted. And the separation passages  617  and  618  have a function of decreasing temperature according to the present invention. In the deposition chamber  611 , the DC magnetron sputtering method is performed, and Ar gas is introduced through a gas inlet  632  and Ag is used as a target  650 . In deposition chamber  613 , the DC magnetron sputtering method or the RF magnetron sputtering method is performed, and Ar gas is introduced through a gas inlet  636  and ZnO is used as a target  670 . In the heat treatment chamber  612 , the time of subjecting the supporting member to heat treatment can be altered freely by the combination of its transportation speed and the arrangement of the halogen lamp heaters. In this example, the transportation speed and the arrangement of the halogen lamp heaters were determined so that the supporting member could be subjected to heat treatment for 3 minutes from the instance of its reaching a heat treatment temperature of 350° C. 
     The formation of the metal layer and the metal oxide layer on the supporting member according to the present Invention was carried out under the predetermined conditions shown in Table 4. The supporting member having the metal layer and metal oxide layer formed thereon was wound into the supporting member winding chamber  614 . 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formation of Metal 
                 Heat Treatment 
                 Formation of Metal 
               
               
                   
                 Layer: Ag 
                 Step 
                 Oxide Layer: ZnO 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Temperature Increasing Speed [° C./S] 
                 15 
                 20 
                 15 
               
               
                 Temperature of Supporting Member [° C.] 
                 280 
                 350 
                 300 
               
               
                 Ar Gas Flow Rate [sccm] 
                 30 
                 10 
                 30 
               
               
                 Pressure [mTorr] 
                 3 
                 2 
                 4 
               
               
                 Type of Target 
                 Ag 
                 — 
                 ZnO 
               
               
                 Type of Sputtering Electric Power 
                 DC 
                 — 
                 DC 
               
               
                 Sputtering Voltage [V] 
                 380 
                 — 
                 385 
               
               
                 Layer Thickness [μm] 
                 0.65 
                 — 
                 1.0 
               
               
                 Type of Supporting Member Cooling Gas 
                 H 2   
                 H 2   
                 He 
               
               
                 Temperature Decreasing Speed [° C./S] 
                 10 
                 10 
                 15 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The supporting member having the metal layer and metal oxide layer formed thereon by the above steps was used as a substrate. Then a photovoltaic element was formed on the substrate. 
     Now the method of forming a photovoltaic element will be described below. A triple type photovoltaic element having layer construction shown in FIG. 2 was formed by using the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system for forming a photovoltaic element shown in FIG. 5 under the conditions of forming a triple type photovoltaic element shown in Table 5. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Gas Flow Rate [sccm] 
                   
                 Electric Power 
                 Substrate 
                 Layer 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 2% 
                 2% 
                 Pressure 
                 [W/cm 2 ] 
                 Temperature 
                 Thickness 
               
               
                 Layers 
                 SiH 4   
                 GeH 4   
                 H 2   
                 PH 2 /H 2   
                 BF 2 /H 2   
                 [Torr] 
                 MW/RF 
                 [° C.] 
                 [nm] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 RF 
                 100 
                   
                  700 
                  50 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /100 
                 340 
                 30 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25  
                 280 
                 10 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 MW 
                 50 
                 50 
                  300 
                   
                   
                 0.005 
                 400/ 
                 350 
                 100 
               
               
                 l-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25  
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 3 
                   
                 1000 
                   
                 100 
                 1.0 
                 /200 
                 250 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 50 
                   
                  350 
                 100 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /30  
                 270 
                 10 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25  
                 280 
                 10 
               
               
                 l-type layer 
               
               
                 MW 
                 60 
                 40 
                  300 
                   
                   
                 0.004 
                 400/ 
                 350 
                 100 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 8 
                   
                  160 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25  
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 3 
                   
                 1000 
                   
                 100 
                 1.0 
                 /200 
                 250 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 40 
                   
                 1000 
                 100 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /75  
                 270 
                 10 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 90 
                   
                  300 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /200 
                 220 
                 90 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 2 
                   
                  500 
                   
                  8 
                 1.0 
                 /500 
                 170 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     First, a sheet substrate, on which the metal layer and the metal oxide layer according to the present invention were formed, was set in a load chamber  5010  for introducing a sheet substrate The sheet substrate was passed through all the deposition chambers and gas gates and connected to the sheet winding jig of an unload chamber  5150 . Each deposition chamber was subjected to exhaust with an exhaust apparatus not shown in the figure to 1× −3  Torr or lower. A desired raw material gas was supplied from each of the mixing apparatuses for film deposition  5024 ,  5034 ,  5044 ,  5054 ,  5064 ,  5074 ,  5084 ,  5094 ,  5104 ,  5114 ,  5124 ,  5134  and  5144  to each deposition chamber. And the gas was supplied from each gate gas supplying apparatus to each of the gas gates  5201 ,  5202 ,  5203 ,  5204 ,  5205 ,  5206 ,  5207 ,  5208 ,  5209 ,  5210 ,  5211 ,  5212 ,  5213  and  5214 . The substrate was heated with a heater for heating a substrate of each deposition chamber, and the vacuum level of each deposition chamber was controlled by adjusting the opening and closing of the exhaust valve of each exhaust apparatus. After the substrate temperature and the vacuum level became stable, the transportation of the sheet substrate was started, and RF electric power and MW (frequency; 2.45 GHz) electric power for generating plasma were supplied to each chamber. Thus a triple type photovoltaic element having three pin structures stacked, as shown in FIG. 2, was formed on the sheet substrate  290 . 
     Then, ITO of 70 nm thickness was deposited on the RF p-type layer  211 , which was a layer formed last, as a transparent electrically conductive layer  212  by the vacuum evaporation method. 
     Further, a mask with a comb-shaped hole was placed on the transparent electrically conductive layer  212 , and an comb-shaped current collecting electrode  213  consisting of Cr (40 nm thick)/Ag (1000 nm thick)/Cr (40 nm thick) was deposited by the vacuum evaporation method. 
     Thus a photovoltaic element according to the present invention was formed. Hereinafter this photovoltaic element will be referred to as “SCE 3 ”. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 3-1 
     A photovoltaic element (SCR 3 - 1 ) was formed in the same manner as in Example 3, except that a ZnO metal oxide layer  202  was formed after forming an Ag metal layer  201  without subjecting its supporting member to heat treatment. 
     Six photovoltaic elements of 5 by 5 cm square were cut off from each of the above two types photovoltaic elements (SCE 3 ) and (SCR 3 - 1 ) on the strip member at intervals of 10 m. 
     Table 6 shows the normalized initial photoelectric conversion factor of each photovoltaic element, the normalized results of light degradation tests (short-circuit current, open voltage) on each photovoltaic element, and the yield of each photovoltaic element. The light degradation tests were carried out by subjecting each photovoltaic element to AM-1.5 (100 mW/cm 2 ) light irradiation for 500 hours. The characteristics of photoelectric conversion factor were evaluated by subjecting each photovoltaic element to AM-1.5 (100 mW/cm 2 ) light irradiation and measuring the V-I characteristics. And the yield of each photovoltaic element was evaluated. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Initial 
                 Short- 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Photoelectric 
                 circuit 
                 Open 
                   
               
               
                 Specimen 
                 Conversion Factor 
                 Current 
                 Voltage 
                 Yield 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 (SCE3) 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 (SCR3-1) 
                 0.84 
                 0.85 
                 0.84 
                 0.82 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 6 shows that the photovoltaic element (SCE 3 ) of Example 3 having a metal layer according to the present invention is superior to the photovoltaic element (SCR 3 - 1 ) in every evaluation results. And it has been found that the yield was considerably improved by carrying out heat treatment, for the heat treatment could prevent short-circuit current from defective portions. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     In this example, a triple type photovoltaic element shown in FIG. 2 was formed by using the formation apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. 
     The supporting member used was a stainless steel sheet 300 m in length, 30 cm in width and 0.2 mm in thickness. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of another apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system for continuously forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system for continuously forming photovoltaic elements. 
     Now the method of forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer will be described. 
     The apparatus for continuously forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer shown in FIG. 7 includes a supporting member delivery chamber  710 , a deposition and heat treatment chamber  711 , a supporting member winding chamber  712 , all of which are arranged in sequence, and separation passages  716  and  717  each of which is provided between the above two adjacent chambers so as to connect all the above chambers. Each deposition chamber has an outlet through which the chamber can be evacurated therein. 
     The above deposition and heat treatment chamber consists of a deposition section  713 , a heat treatment section  714  and a deposition section  715  which are separated from each other by partition plates  771  to  774  and magnet rollers  781  to  786  for keeping a substrate in a straight line so that gas does not flow in. 
     A strip supporting member  721  from the support delivery chamber is transported through these deposition chambers, heat treatment chambers and separation passages and wound up in the supporting member winding chamber. At the same time, a gas is introduced from each gas inlet and the gas is discharged from each outlet so that each layer can be formed. 
     In the deposition section  713  a metal layer consisting of Ag is formed, in the heat treatment section  714  the metal layer is subjected to heat treatment, and the deposition section  715  the metal oxide layer consisting of ZnO is formed. In each deposition section and heat treatment section, lamp heaters  741 ,  742  and  743  for heating the supporting member from its backside are arranged, so that the supporting member  721  is heated to a predetermined temperature in each deposition section. And the separation passages  718  and  719  have a function of decreasing temperature according to the present invention. In the deposition section  713 , the DC magnetron sputtering method is performed, and Ar gas is introduced through a gas inlet  731  and Ag is used as a target  750 . In deposition chamber  715 , the DC magnetron sputtering method or the RF magnetron sputtering method is performed, and Ar gas is introduced through a gas inlet  735  and ZnO is used as a target  760 . 
     The formation of the metal layer and the metal oxide layer according to the present invention was carried out under the predetermined conditions shown in Table 7. The supporting member having the metal layer and metal oxide layer formed thereon was wound into the supporting member winding chamber  712 . 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formation of Metal 
                 Heat Treatment 
                 Formation of Metal 
               
               
                   
                 Layer: Ag 
                 Step 
                 Oxide Layer: ZnO 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Temperature Increasing Speed [° C./S] 
                 15 
                 25 
                 15 
               
               
                 Temperature of Supporting Member [° C.] 
                 280 
                 400 
                 400 
               
               
                 Ar Gas Flow Rate [sccm] 
                 30 
                 15 
                 30 
               
               
                 Pressure [mTorr] 
                 3 
                 2 
                 4 
               
               
                 Type of Target 
                 Ag 
                 — 
                 ZnO 
               
               
                 Type of Sputtering Electric Power 
                 DC 
                 — 
                 DC 
               
               
                 Sputtering Voltage [V] 
                 380 
                 — 
                 385 
               
               
                 Layer Thickness [μm] 
                 0.65 
                 — 
                 1.0 
               
               
                 Type of Supporting Member Cooling Gas 
                 H 2   
                 H 2   
                 He 
               
               
                 Temperature Decreasing Speed [° C./S] 
                 10 
                 10 
                 15 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The supporting member having the metal layer and metal oxide layer formed thereon by the above steps was used as a substrate. Then a photovoltaic element was formed on the substrate. 
     Now the method of forming a photovoltaic element will be described below. A triple type photovoltaic element having layer construction shown in FIG  2  was formed by using the apparatus of the Roll to Roll type system for forming a photovoltaic element shown in FIG. under the conditions of forming a triple type photovoltaic element shown in Table 8. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Gas Flow Rate [sccm] 
                   
                 Electric Power 
                 Substrate 
                 Layer 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 2% 
                 2% 
                 Pressure 
                 [W/cm 2 ] 
                 Temperature 
                 Thickness 
               
               
                 Layers 
                 SiH 4   
                 GeH 4   
                 H 2   
                 PH 2 /H 2   
                 BF 2 /H 2   
                 [Torr] 
                 MW/RF 
                 [° C.] 
                 [nm] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 RF 
                 90 
                   
                  900 
                  65 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /90 
                 340 
                 25 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 MW 
                 50 
                 55 
                  300 
                   
                   
                 0.005 
                 400/100 
                 365 
                 110 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 300 
                 22 
               
               
                 l-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 3 
                   
                 1000 
                   
                 100 
                 1.0 
                  /200 
                 250 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 50 
                   
                  350 
                 100 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /30 
                 270 
                 10 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 280 
                 10 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 MW 
                 65 
                 45 
                  300 
                   
                   
                 0.003 
                 400/100 
                 350 
                 90 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 8 
                   
                  160 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 l-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 3 
                   
                 1000 
                   
                 100 
                 1.0 
                  /200 
                 250 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                 1000 
                 100 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /75 
                 270 
                 10 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 90 
                   
                  300 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                  /200 
                 220 
                 90 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 2 
                   
                  500 
                   
                  90 
                 1.0 
                  /500 
                 170 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Then, ITO of 70 nm thickness was deposited on the RF p-type layer  211 , which was a layer formed last, as a transparent electrically conductive layer  212  by the vacuum evaporation method. 
     Further, a mask with a comb-shaped hole was placed on the transparent electrically conductive layer  212 , and a comb-shaped current collecting electrode  213  consisting of Cr (40 nm thick)/Ag (1000 nm thick)/Cr (40 nm thick) was deposited by the vacuum evaporation method. 
     Thus a photovoltaic element according to the present invention was formed. Hereinafter this photovoltaic element will be referred to as “SCE 4 ”. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 4-1 
     A photovoltaic element (SCR 4 - 1 ) was formed in the same manner as in Example 4, except that a ZnO metal oxide layer  202  was formed after forming an Ag metal layer  201  without subjecting its supporting member to heat treatment. 
     Six photovoltaic elements of 5 cm by 5 cm square were cut off from each of the above two types photovoltaic elements (SCE 4 ) and (SCR 4 - 1 ) on the strip supporting member at intervals of 10 m. 
     Table 9 shows the normalized initial photoelectric conversion factor of each photovoltaic element, the normalized results of light degradation tests (short-circuit current, open voltage) on each photovoltaic element, and the yield of each photovoltaic element. The light degradation tests were carried out by subjecting each photovoltaic element to AM-1.5 (100 mW/cm 2 ) light irradiation for 500 hours. The characteristics of photoelectric conversion factor were evaluated by subjecting each photovoltaic element to AM-1.5 (100 mW/cm 2 ) light irradiation and measuring the V-I characteristics. And the yield of each photovoltaic element was evaluated. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Initial 
                 Short- 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Photoelectric 
                 circuit 
                 Open 
                   
               
               
                 Specimen 
                 Conversion Factor 
                 Current 
                 Voltage 
                 Yield 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 (SCE4) 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 (SCR4-1) 
                 0.81 
                 0.81 
                 0.80 
                 0.76 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 9 shows that the photovoltaic element (SCE 4 ) of Example 4 having a metal layer according to the present invention is superior to the photovoltaic element (SCR 4 - 1 ) in every evaluation results. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     In this example, a metal layer and a metal oxide layers were formed on a supporting member at various As temperature increasing speeds ranging from 2° C./sec to 150° C./sec and photovoltaic elements were formed thereon so that the influence on initial photoelectric conversion factor was examined. 
     Table 10 shows the conditions under which the metal layer and the metal oxide layer are formed, and Table 11 shows the conditions under which triple type photovoltaic elements are formed. In this example, like Example 3, a triple type photovoltaic element shown in FIG. 2 was formed by using the apparatus for continuously forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer shown in FIG.  6  and the apparatus for continuously forming photovoltaic elements shown in FIG.  5 . The other points were just the same as in Example 3. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formation of Metal 
                 Heat Treatment 
                 Formation of Metal 
               
               
                   
                 Layer: Ag 
                 Step 
                 Oxide Layer ZnO 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Temperature Increasing Speed [° C./S] 
                 20 
                 25 
                 30 
               
               
                 Temperature of Supporting Member [° C.] 
                 350 
                 350 
                 350 
               
               
                 Ar Gas Flow Rate [sccm] 
                 30 
                 15 
                 30 
               
               
                 Pressure [mTorr] 
                 3 
                 2 
                 4 
               
               
                 Type of Target 
                 Ag 
                 — 
                 ZnO 
               
               
                 Type of Sputtering Electric Power 
                 DC 
                 — 
                 DC 
               
               
                 Sputtering Voltage [V] 
                 380 
                 — 
                 390 
               
               
                 Layer Thickness [μm] 
                 0.70 
                 — 
                 1.1 
               
               
                 Type of Supporting Member Cooling Gas 
                 He 
                 He 
                 He 
               
               
                 Temperature Decreasing Speed [° C./S] 
                 15 
                 20 
                 10 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 11 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Gas Flow Rate [sccm] 
                   
                 Electric Power 
                 Substrate 
                 Layer 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 2% 
                 2% 
                 Pressure 
                 [W/cm 2 ] 
                 Temperature 
                 Thickness 
               
               
                 Layers 
                 SiH 4   
                 GeH 4   
                 H 2   
                 PH 2 /H 2   
                 BF 2 /H 2   
                 [Torr] 
                 MW/RF 
                 [° C.] 
                 [nm] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 RF 
                 90 
                   
                  900 
                  65 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /90 
                 340 
                 25 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 l-type layer 
               
               
                 MW 
                 45 
                 55 
                  300 
                   
                   
                 0.010 
                 380/100 
                 365 
                 110 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 300 
                 22 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 3 
                   
                 1000 
                   
                 100 
                 1.0 
                  /200 
                 250 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 50 
                   
                  350 
                 100 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /30 
                 270 
                 10 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                  200 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 280 
                 10 
               
               
                 l-type layer 
               
               
                 MW 
                 55 
                 45 
                  300 
                   
                   
                 0.023 
                 390/100 
                 350 
                 100 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 8 
                   
                  160 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                 /25 
                 300 
                 10 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 3 
                   
                 1000 
                   
                 100 
                 1.0 
                  /200 
                 250 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 10 
                   
                 1000 
                 100 
                   
                 1.0 
                 /75 
                 270 
                 10 
               
               
                 n-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 90 
                   
                  300 
                   
                   
                 1.05 
                  /200 
                 220 
                 90 
               
               
                 i-type layer 
               
               
                 RF 
                 2 
                   
                  500 
                   
                  90 
                 1.0 
                  /500 
                 170 
                 10 
               
               
                 p-type layer 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 12 shows the initial photoelectric conversion factor of each photovoltaic element and the results of light degradation tests (short-circuit current, open voltage) on each photovoltaic element. The conditions of conducting light degradation tests and measuring characteristics of photoelectric conversion factor were the same as in Example 3 In Table 12, the marks “∘”, “Δ” and “x” in the line of “Initial Photoelectric Conversion Factor” denote the initial photoelectric conversion factor variation of lower than 5%, of 5% or higher but lower than 10%, and of 10% or higher in comparison with the maximum value of the initial photoelectric conversion factor of all specimens, respectively. And the marks “◯”, “Δ” and “x” in the lines of “Short-circuit Current” and “Open Voltage” after light degradation tests denote the short-circuit current and open voltage variations of lower than 5% of 5% or higher but lower than 10% and of 10% or higher in comparison with the short-circuit current and open voltage before light degradation tests, respectively. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 12 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Temperature 
                 2 
                 8 
                 10 
                 40 
                 70 
                 100 
                 120 
                 150 
               
               
                 Increasing Speed 
               
               
                 [° C./sec] 
               
               
                 Initial Photoelectric 
                 x 
                 Δ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 Δ 
                 x 
               
               
                 Conversion Factor 
               
               
                 Short-circuit 
                 x 
                 Δ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 x 
                 x 
               
               
                 Current 
               
               
                 Open Voltage 
                 x 
                 Δ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 Δ 
                 x 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     From the evaluation results of photoelectric conversion factor, short-circuit current and open voltage shown in Table 12, it is found that the temperature increasing speed when forming the metal layer and the metal oxide layer is suitably in the range of 10° C./sec to 100° C./sec. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     In this example, a metal layer and a metal oxide layer were formed on a supporting member at various temperature decreasing speeds ranging from 0.2° C./sec to 90° C./sec and photovoltaic elements were formed thereon, so that the influence on initial photoelectric conversion factor was examined. 
     Table 10 shows the conditions under which a metal layer and a metal oxide layer are formed, and Table 11 shows the conditions under which triple type photovoltaic elements are formed. In this example, like Example 3, a triple type photovoltaic element shown in FIG. 2 was formed by using the apparatus for continuously forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer shown in FIG.  6  and the apparatus for continuously forming photovoltaic elements shown in FIG.  5 . The other points were just the same as in Example 3. 
     Table 13 shows the initial photoelectric conversion factor of each photovoltaic element and the results of light degradation tests (short-circuit current, open voltage) on each photovoltaic element. The conditions of conducting light degradation tests and measuring characteristics of photoelectric conversion factor were the same as in Example 3. In Table 13, the marks “∘”, “Δ” and “x” in the line of “Initial Photoelectric Conversion Factor” denote the initial photoelectric conversion factor variation of lower than 5%, of 5% or higher but lower than 10%, and of 10% or higher in comparison with the maximum value of the initial photoelectric conversion factor of all specimens, respectively. And the marks “∘”, “Δ” and “x” in the lines of “Short-circuit Current” and “Open Voltage” after light degradation tests denote the short-circuit current and open voltage variations of lower than 5%, of 5% or higher but lower than 10%, and of 10% or higher in comparison with the short-circuit current and open voltage before light degradation tests, respectively. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 13 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Temperature 
                 0.2 
                 0.8 
                 1 
                 10 
                 30 
                 50 
                 70 
                 90 
               
               
                 Decreasing Speed 
               
               
                 [° C./sec] 
               
               
                 Initial Photoelectric 
                 x 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 Δ 
                 x 
               
               
                 Conversion Factor 
               
               
                 Short-circuit 
                 x 
                 Δ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 Δ 
                 x 
               
               
                 Current 
               
               
                 Open Voltage 
                 x 
                 Δ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 Δ 
                 x 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     From the evaluation results of photoelectric conversion factor, short-circuit current and open voltage shown in Table 13, it is found that the temperature decreasing speed when forming the metal layer and the metal oxide layer is suitably in the range of 1° C./sec to 50° C./sec. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     In this example, a metal layer was formed on a supporting member, the supporting member was subjected to heat treatment at various temperatures ranging from 20° C. to 500° C., and a metal oxide layer was formed. Then photovoltaic elements were formed thereon and the influence on initial photoelectric conversion factor was examined. 
     In this example, like Example 3, a triple type photovoltaic element shown in FIG. 2 was formed by using the apparatus for continuously forming a metal layer and a metal oxide layer shown in FIG.  6  and the apparatus for continuously forming photovoltaic elements shown in FIG.  5 . The conditions under which photovoltaic element was formed were the same as in Example 3, except that the heating temperature was varied. 
     Table 14 shows the initial photoelectric conversion factor of each photovoltaic element and the results of light degradation tests (short-circuit current, open voltage) on each photovoltaic element. The conditions of conducting light degradation tests and measuring characteristics of photoelectric conversion factor were the same as in Example 3. In Table 14, the marks “∘”, “Δ” and “x” in the line of “Initial Photoelectric Conversion Factor” denote the initial photoelectric conversion factor variation of lower than 5%, of 5% or higher but lower than 10%, and of 10% or higher in comparison with the maximum value of the initial photoelectric conversion factor of all specimens, respectively. And the marks “∘”, “Δ” and “x” in the lines of “Short-circuit Current” and “Open Voltage” after light degradation tests denote the short-circuit current and open voltage variation of lower than 5%, of 5% or higher but lower than 10%, and of 10% or higher in comparison with the short-circuit current and open voltage before light degradation tests, respectively. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 14 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Heating 
                 50 
                 80 
                 100 
                 200 
                 300 
                 400 
                 450 
                 500 
               
               
                 Temperature 
               
               
                 [° C./sec] 
               
               
                 Initial Photoelectric 
                 x 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 Δ 
                 x 
               
               
                 Conversion Factor 
               
               
                 Short-circuit 
                 x 
                 Δ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 Δ 
                 x 
               
               
                 Current 
               
               
                 Open Voltage 
                 x 
                 x 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 ∘ 
                 x 
                 x 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     From the evaluation results of photoelectric conversion factor, short-circuit current and open voltage shown in Table 14, it is found that the heating temperature after forming the metal layer is suitably in the range of 100° C. to 400° C. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     In this example, a metal layer  101  and a metal oxide layer  102  as shown in FIG. 1 were formed on a supporting member in the same manner as in example 1, except that a light reflection layer consisting of a metal layer and a metal oxide layer was formed on a supporting member using argon gas, as supporting member cooling gas, instead of helium gas. Hereinafter the light reflection layer formed on the supporting member will be referred to as “SE 8 ”. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 8-1 
     In this example, a light reflection layer (SCR 8 - 1 ) was formed on a supporting member in the same manner as in Example 8, except that a ZnO metal oxide layer  102  was formed after forming an Ag metal layer  101  without subjecting its supporting member to heat treatment. 
     Four light reflection layers were formed for each of the two types layers (SE 8 ) and (SR 8 - 1 ) as described above. Table 15 shows the evaluation results of the total reflectance and irregular reflectance of each light reflection layer obtained by measuring the light reflectance thereof. The method of evaluation was the same as in Example 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 15 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Total 
                 Irregular 
               
               
                   
                 Specimen 
                 Reflectance 
                 Reflectance 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 (SE8) 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 (SR8-1) 
                 0.88 
                 0.75 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The results in Table 15 show that the light reflection layer (SE 8 ) of Example 8 is superior to the light reflection layer (SR 8 - 1 ) of Reference Example 8-1 in every evaluation results. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     In this example, a metal layer  101  and a metal oxide layer  102  as shown in FIG. 1 were formed on a supporting member in the same manner as in example 1, except that the metal oxide layer was formed after subjecting the metal layer formed on the supporting member to heat treatment using hydrogen gas, as atmospheric gas, instead of helium gas. Hereinafter the light reflection layer formed on the supporting member will be referred to as “SE 9 ”. 
     REFERENCE EXAMPLE 9-1 
     In this example, a light reflection layer (SR 9 - 1 ) was formed on a supporting member in the same manner as in Example 9, except that a ZnO metal oxide layer  102  was formed after forming an Ag metal layer  101  without subjecting its supporting member to heat treatment. 
     Four light reflection layers were formed for each of the two types layers (SE 9 ) and (SR 9 - 1 ). Table 16 shows the evaluation results of the total reflectance and irregular reflectance of each light reflection layer obtained by measuring the light reflectance thereof. The method of evaluation was the same as in Example 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 16 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Total 
                 Irregular 
               
               
                   
                 Specimen 
                 Reflectance 
                 Reflectance 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 (SE9) 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 (SR9-1) 
                 0.85 
                 0.74 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The results in Table 16 show that the light reflection layer (SE 9 ) of Example 9 is superior to the light reflection layer (SR 9 - 1 ) of Reference Example 9-1 in every evaluation results. 
     As described above, according to the present invention, a method of forming a photovoltaic element is obtained which can prevent a defect from appearing in a light reflection layer of the element. As a result, the light reflection layer is allowed to have a discontinuous surface geometry with irregularities by combining a metal layer and a metal oxide layer, which ensures a high optical confinement effect, and hence a high reflectance of the light reflection layer. And a photovoltaic element of high photoelectric conversion factor can be obtained by forming a semiconductor layer on such a metal layer and a metal oxide layer.