Dec 3 2010
Sol Array, global company known for solar PV research and development, product formulation, and system designs, has brought out its first CIGS solar cell utilizing a new, easy to use process to enable large scale manufacturing.
The manufacturing process deploys cheap soda-lime glass as substrate material and utilizes a modified, nonstop, in-line Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) method for laying down its CIGS thin-films pile and a 4-element mix in a simple single step deposition. The process removes the requirement of a difficult co-evaporation process utilized in depositing a number of CIGS elements, to form an energetic CIGS layer ascertaining uniformity and repeatability for use in large scale production, thus introducing cost- effective and efficient production process. Sol Array did not disclose the rated conversion efficiency of the sample cell and is awaiting further validation and confirmation of its tested model. Initial results of the testing prove that the new product matches the current power conversion efficiency of the products in the market.
The Alpha phase of the CIGS research process has almost reached its final stages and currently, the efficiency of the cells lingers in levels of 20%+/-. The company anticipates overcoming the next challenge of producing the cells in large volume, cost-effectively with a repeatable process feature to enable commercial production. The company avails the help of the researchers and research facilities from the institutions based in USA and Europe. The company has based its research and receives revenue on its research in the USA and continues its production process in China not only for the considerable level of incentives it receives from the Chinese government but also to meet the demands for its solar products in the ever growing renewable energy market of China.