Abstract: A method for forming a bifacial thin film photovoltaic cell includes providing a glass substrate having a surface region covered by an intermediate layer and forming a thin film photovoltaic cell on the surface region. Additionally, the thin film photovoltaic cell includes an anode overlying the intermediate layer, an absorber over the anode, and a window layer and cathode over the absorber mediated by a buffer layer. The anode comprises an aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) layer forming a first interface with the intermediate layer and a second interface with the absorber. The AZO layer is configured to induce Fermi level pinning at the first interface and a strain field from the first interface to the second interface.