NREL Verifies MiaSole's 15.7% CIGS Thin-Film Module Conversion Efficiencies

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has independently confirmed the 15.7% efficiency rating of MiaSolé-produced (1 square meter in size) copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin-film modules. A year ago, MiaSolé touted a module efficiency of 14.3%. The company also reiterated that it would shipping 22MW in 2010.

“This is a very exciting result, especially when it comes so soon after the previous 14.3% achievement from last September,” noted Rommel Noufi, an NREL solar researcher. “An almost 1.5% absolute increase in efficiency in such a short time on a continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing line is impressive and demonstrates good process control and a validation of the MiaSolé approach.” 

"This is a significant accomplishment as it represents the ability to manufacture full-scale CIGS modules with efficiencies equal to or better than that of polycrystalline silicon modules available in the world today but manufactured at a thin-film cost structure. We are pleased that we are executing ahead of our roadmap for efficiency improvements and feel confident in our ability to bring high efficiency CIGS technology to the market place,” commented Joseph Laia, CEO of MiaSolé. 

According to Noufi, CIGS technology is now on its way to achieving DOE’s target of $1 per Wp photovoltaic systems and narrows the gap between laboratory reported efficiencies of 20.3%.

MiaSolé says it is the only thin-film solar company that uses sputtering processes at each step of the coating process, which is also claimed to be a low-cost production method.


source:  PV-tech.org


Views:    At 15.7% - this is getting very close to the efficiency of Polycrystalline Solar Panels.   At this rate we should see more CIGS companies bringing their products to the market next year.