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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 high single digit or low double 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 future uses for CIGS cells include roof shingles, windows, siding, along with portable solar chargers.
Companies such as First Solar, Nanosolar, and Solyndra – some of the current makers of thin film solar cells, are at the 10-14% efficiency range with their products.
Related posts:
- Solarmer Energy hits 7.9% efficiency with plastic organic photovoltaic solar cell – breaks record
- Sanyo hits new world record for solar cell efficiency, claims lower cost too
- Nanostructures will raise thin-film solar cell efficiency
- CIGS firms duke it out for efficiency crown
- Sharp Solar soon to bring thin film solar cell to US
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Topics: Solar Power | 3 Comments »
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
where & $ ? cigss film solar cell
June 10th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
when will this be commerically available
March 31st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
The fact that this also incorporated more low cost items is as important as it’s efficiency. It’s vital that solar energy is seen as cost efficient as well as “eco-friendly” if governments are to see it as the way forward.