SoloPower‘s next generation panel has achieved an aperture area efficiency of 13.4%, a record for flexible copper, indium, gallium and (di)selenide (CIGS) based modules. The measurements were made by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
SoloPower is a San Jose, California-based manufacturer of flexible thin film solar cells and modules.
“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,” said Dr. Mustafa Pinarbasi, CTO at SoloPower.
“We were the first company to certify flexible CIGS modules to UL 1703 and IEC standards (61646 and 61730) in 2010. We have improved the efficiency from 11.2% to 13.4% with new processes implemented in our roll to roll production line and have a strong pipeline of improvements yet to come this year.”
SoloPower’s high-volume manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon will begin commercial production later this year. SoloPower’s operations in Portland are ultimately expected to have a capacity of 400MW.
SoloPower uses innovative manufacturing technology to produce low-cost, high-efficiency CIGS-based photovoltaic cells. The company uses a proprietary roll-to-roll electrodeposition process.
The CIGS cells are then packaged into unique, flexible, lightweight solar modules. The modules require less balance-of-system hardware and are easier to install than traditional solar panels.