Microcrystalline series photovoltaic element, process for the production of said photovoltaic element, building material and power generation apparatus in which said photovoltaic element is used

A photovoltaic element having a stacked structure comprising a first semiconductor layer containing no crystalline phase, a second semiconductor layer containing approximately spherical microcrystalline phases, and a third semiconductor layer containing pillar microcrystalline phases which are stacked in this order, wherein said spherical microcrystalline phases of said second semiconductor layer on the side of said third semiconductor layer have an average size which is greater than that of said spherical microcrystalline phases of said second semiconductor layer on the side of said first semiconductor layer.