The present paper is concerned with the research and development activities on processing technology of novel silicide-based materials for the production of low cost photovoltaic electricity that can be used for hydrogen generation through water electrolysis. The paper discusses some of the properties of semiconducting iron disilicide (beta-FeSi2) essential for photovoltaic applications. It is shown that highly oriented beta-FeSi2 film of 100nm in thickness can be deposited on silicon (Si) substrates, while a bulk single crystal of about 3-4mm can be grown from solution containing garium (Ga; p-type), zinc (Zn; p-type) and tin (Sn; n-type). (c) 2006 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.