13 March 2012

SoloPower sets record 13.4% aperture efficiency for flexible CIGS solar panels

SoloPower Inc of San Jose, CA, USA says that its next-generation thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) solar panel has achieved an aperture area efficiency of 13.4% - claimed to be a record for flexible CIGS-based modules – as measured by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

“The cells were made in SoloPower’s San Jose manufacturing facility, so we know we have the systems in place to deliver high-efficiency, lightweight, flexible modules to our customers around the globe,” says CEO Tim Harris.

The firm produces CIGS-based photovoltaic cells which are then packaged into modules that, it is claimed, require less balance-of-system hardware and are easier to install than traditional solar panels.

“SoloPower’s achievement of an aperture efficiency of 13.4% for our flexible CIGS modules is a result of efficiency improvement projects that have been in place during the past two years,” says chief technology officer Dr Mustafa Pinarbasi. “We were the first company to certify flexible CIGS modules to UL 1703 and IEC standards (61646 and 61730) in 2010,” he adds. “We have improved the efficiency from 11.2% to 13.4% with new processes implemented in our roll-to-roll [electro-deposition] production line and have a strong pipeline of improvements yet to come this year.”

SoloPower is currently hiring engineers and technicians for its high-volume manufacturing headquarters being constructed in Portland, OR, which will begin commercial production later this year and is ultimately expected to have a capacity of 400MW and employ 450 people.

Tags: SoloPower CIGS module CIGS

Visit: www.solopower.com