6 October 2011

Nanosolar hits 17.1% aperture efficiency via printed CIGS process

Nanosolar Inc of San Jose, CA, USA, which makes copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic panels, says that the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has certified an aperture efficiency of 17.1% for a solar cell fabricated using Nanosolar’s non-vacuum, low-cost printing on flexible foil technology.

“This achievement demonstrates that a non-vacuum CIGS deposition process can deliver world-class efficiency,” says CEO Geoff Tate. “At the same time, Nanosolar's unique roll-to-roll printing process delivers substantial manufacturing cost benefits,” he adds.

Nanosolar says that its aim is to become the lowest-cost solar cell and panel manufacturer, independent of subsidies. The firm claims that this is possible because its unique thin-film printing process enables significant cost savings compared with conventional vacuum-based deposition techniques. Its high-throughput roll-to-roll printing method also delivers higher capital efficiency and better materials utilization, it adds.  

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Nanosolar reaches printed CIGS efficiencies of 13.9% for cells and 11.6% for panels

Tags: Nanosolar CIGS thin-film PV panels CIGS

Visit: www.nanosolar.com