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CIGS thin film solar cell hits 19.9% efficiency - a record
By MB-BigB | March 24, 2008
Researchers at the US Dept of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) have developed a thin-film CIGS solar cell that competes with the efficiency of silicon photovoltaic solar cells.
Their new copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) cell hit 19.9% efficiency, which is a world’s record for this type of solar cell. Most thin-film cells are currently in the single digit efficiency range.
NREL Senior Scientist Miguel Contreras said that the NREL researchers were able to hit 19.9% because of improvements that have been made in the quality of the material applied during the manufacturing process. CIGS cells use very thin layers of semiconducting material that are applied to a low cost backing such as flexible metal foils, glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Thin-film cells need less energy to produce and can be made several different ways. Some possible uses for CIGS cells include roof shingles, windows, siding, along with portable solar chargers.
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Topics: Solar Power |
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
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