Abstract: Object of this invention is to provide a plasma CVD method capable of forming a microcrystalline silicon film at low hydrogen gas flow rate, thereby providing a low-cost microcrystalline silicon solar cell. In the plasma CVD method forming the microcrystalline silicon film, plural antennas are arranged to form an antenna array structure in a vacuum chamber. One end of each antenna is connected to a high frequency power source and anther end is grounded. Substrates are placed facing the antenna arrays, and the substrate temperature is kept between 150 and 250° C. Plasma is generated by introducing gas mixture of hydrogen and silane to the chamber, and by introducing high frequency power to the antennas.