The invention relates to a method for producing a silicon layer, wherein silicon nanoparticles are sintered using a catalyst, preferably nickel. In said method, nanoparticles containing or made of silicon are applied to a substrate, the nanoparticles are brought together with nickel or a compound containing nickel, and then the nanoparticles and the nickel or the compound containing nickel are heated in such a way that a continuous silicon layer is produced by means of tempering.