system for ZnO and ZnO:Al deposition, Suite of cell testing techniques, including current-voltage and quantum efficiency Moreover, both perovskite and CIGS cells are thin-film solar cells, paving the way to high efficiency flexible solar cells and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions. 1. Protective buffer layer: The grain boundaries form an inherent buffer layer, preventing surface recombination and allowing for films with grain sizes of less than 1 micrometer to be used in device fab… sandwiched between conductive layers. CIGS-based thin-film solar modules represent a high-efficiency alternative for large-scale, The CIGS cell is based on a commercially available high efficiency flexible solar cell technology fabricated on lightweight stainless-steel foil using a proprietary high throughput roll-to-cell sputtering process. High-Efficiency Crystalline Photovoltaics, Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide Solar Cells, Real-Time Photovoltaic & Solar Resource Testing, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fabrication of all CIGS solar cell layers, Co-evaporators with electron-impact ionization spectrometer rate control for CIGS commercial solar modules. Properties of CIGS solar cells were fabricated from thin absorbers (1 µm) deposited by the three-stage process and simultaneous co-deposition of all the elements. CIGS solar cells. The window materials (TCOs and CdS) are responsible for the Great gains in efficiency could be attained if increased photocurrents are attained by maintaining V. oc. CIGS solar cells are manufactured by sputtering the material onto 156×156 mm stainless steel substrates. Most of the light is absorbed by the p-type thin film (absorber) and the photocurrent is generated. Details of the preparing conditions are shown in Ref. Global Solar Energy's factory is located in Tucson, Arizona and produces flexible solar cells, based on our proprietary CIGS thin film processes, innovative interconnect technology and module structures. They can be integrated into vehicles such as tractor trailers, airplanes, and cars, as their low profile minimizes air resistance and they do not add significant weight. During the manufacturing process, the deposition of CIGS films onto a substrate is frequently done in a vacuum, using either an evaporative or a sputtering process. these requirements. The solar cell combines two thin-film solar cell technologies into a tandem solar cell stack: a top flexible semi-transparent perovskite solar cell with a bottom flexible copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) cell. NREL has the ability to deposit all layers of CIGS thin-film solar cells, from 1.5-by-1.5-in. CIGS cluster tool, a co-evaporator tool with up to 6-by-6-in. deposition area that on substrates such as glass, metal foils, and polymers. We commonly use the photovoltaic research and device development. for applications that require lighter-weight or flexible modules. Solar cells based on chalcopyrite Cu (In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorbers are among the most promising thin-film photovoltaic technologies with laboratory scale power conversion efficiencies (PCE) reaching 20.4% on a flexible polymer substrate and 22.6% on a soda lime glass (SLG) substrate. deposition, Precursor or post-deposition treatments of NaF, KF, and other alkali-containing compounds, Chemical bath deposition of CdS and Zn(O,S), Sputter systems for Zn(O,S), Cd2SnO4, Zn2SnO4, In2SnO5, and CdS deposition, 12-by-12-in. Upon heating it transforms to the zincblende form and the transition temperature decreases from 1045 °C for x=0 to 805 °C for x=1. CIGS solar cell, in full copper indium gallium selenide solar cell, thin-film photovoltaic device that uses semiconductor layers of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. A “depletion region” is formed at the heterojunction of the p- and n-type materials of the cadmium-doped surface of the CIGS cell. Additionally, given the hazards of cadmium extraction and use, CIGS solar cells offer fewer health and environmental concerns than the cadmium telluride solar cells with which they compete. CIGS solar cells feature a thin film of copper indium selenide and copper gallium selenide and a trace amount of sodium. This cell provides a high absorption coefficient, high temperature stability, and is low-cost compared to other collection materials. is integrated with sputtering and analysis capabilities to study interface formation A subsequent printing process deposits additional layers and the front contact on top of that layer; the foil is then cut into sheets. Zinc oxide, formed on the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer on top of the CIGS cells is susceptible to damage by moisture. There electron-hole pairs are formed. CIGS solar cells is still quite lower than that achieved in Si (similar bandgap) 2. processes and implemented in different form factors. It leverages historical and present data to predict the growth rate of the market and its sub-markets over the analysis period. Updates? products and markets (e.g., flexible products) may require a higher level of reliability. CIGS is a tetrahedrally bonded semiconductor, with the chalcopyrite crystal structure. Although CIGS solar cells are considered to be in the early stages of large-scale commercialization, they can be produced by using a process that has the potential to reduce the cost … https://www.britannica.com/technology/CIGS-solar-cell, Energy.gov - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide. CIS and CIGS solar cells are a thin film technology along with amorphous silicon (a-Si). INTRODUCTION absorbers w to 6-by-6in. One company, Nanosolar, based in San Jose, Calif., has developed a way to make the CIGS material as an ink containing nanoparticles. CIGS is a versatile material that can be fabricated by multiple Copper, gallium, and indium are deposited in turn and annealed with a selenide vapour, resulting in the final CIGS structure. CIGS alkali treatmentsAlkali post-deposition treatments have been instrumental in dramatic voltage improvements Properties of the bottom cell were optimized to match the top cell light transmittance spectrum to achieve high tandem cell performance. The majority of solar cells are fabricated from silicon—with increasing efficiency and lowering cost as the materials range from amorphous to polycrystalline to crystalline silicon forms. and industrially relevant processes. The benefits of CIGS solar cells include: 1. ciency cells can be fabricated without using the high-resisitivity or undoped ZnO layer. to document and solve issues such as reversible metastability, potential-induced degradation, sample sizes. The CIGS cell has a glass/Mo/CIGS/CdS/TCO configuration, and the CIGS-Mo interface is a … Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. relevant process choices can impact the ultimate performance and reliability of CIGS The application spectrum of the CIGS Solar Cell market is split into Residential,Commercial andIndustrial. That separates the electrons from the holes and allows them to generate an electrical current (see also solar cell). The newest generation of thin-film solar cells uses thin layers of either cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium deselenide (CIGS) instead. We can fabricate novel materials and device structures flexible, thin-film cigs Ascent Solar develops and manufactures its cutting-edge CIGS (Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide) photovoltaic technology on a flexible, plastic substrate. Cell reliability for advanced device designsAlthough present CIGS designs can meet reliability goals for rigid modules, new CIGS These panels are designed to convert sunlight into electric power by laying a thin layer of these four elements onto a plastic backing. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. CIGS solar cells need to be well protected, as moisture can badly damage the cells. – Developed IP for the fabrication of high efficiency CIGS solar cells. It is covered by the actual Cu (In,Ga)Se 2 film. long enough in the CIGS layer of the device so that they can be separated and collected This process enables the formation of a CIGS thin-film layer that is of the The cells are designed so that light enters through the transparent front ohmic contact and is absorbed into the CIGS layer. We The differences between CIGS and crystalline solar cells One big difference is that the CIGS is more light-sensitive and therefore will a 100 Watt peak CIGS panel produce around 10-15% more power in a year, than a 100 Watt peak crystaline panel. Since such "2 Terminal" tandem cells made of CIGS and perovskite now represent a separate category, the National Renewable Energy Lab NREL, USA, has created a new branch on the famous NREL chart for this purpose. and shading-induced damage. That CIGS film acts as a direct bandgap semiconductor and forms a heterojunction, as the bandgaps of the two different materials are unequal. The objective is to collect that electron before it runs into something and is re-absorbed (called recombination). Although CIGS solar cells are considered to be in the early stages of large-scale commercialization, they can be produced by using a process that has the potential to reduce the cost of producing photovoltaic devices. 2. The CIGS solar cells consist of a number of films which are deposited onto a rigid or flexible substrate. following in our CIGS thin-film cell research and development: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a national laboratory The efficiency of today’s thin-film solar cells with the CIGS compound semiconductor has already topped the 23 percent mark, but now a further increase looks to be within reach. It is best known as the material for CIGS solar cells a thin-film technology used in the photovoltaic industry. NREL has significant capabilities in copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In 2014, laboratory experiments produced a record efficiency of 23.2 percent by a CIGS cell with a modified surface structure. Novel approaches are being developed that are more similar to printing technologies than traditional silicon solar-cell fabrication. that have increased small-area CIGS device efficiencies from 20% to beyond 23%. If a nonconductive material is chosen for the substrate, a metal such as molybdenum is used as a conductor. layer. CIGS is moderately expensive to manufacture and is great for flexible and portable solar panels. This material goes on top of different types of layers, such as glass, plastic, steel, and aluminum. . CIGS cells traditionally have been more costly than other types…. Here, the light is absorbed and, through the photovoltaic effect, an electron-hole pair is created. The simulation process was initiated by modeling of a standard CIGS solar cell followed by optimization of the thickness for different layers to achieve the highest efficiency. CIGS solar cells can be manufactured on flexible substrates, which makes them suited for a variety of applications for which current crystalline photovoltaics and other rigid products are not suitable. gain a fundamental understanding of alkali treatments for high-efficiency thin-film A team staffed with researchers from the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and … We can fabricate novel materials and device structures and also perform advanced characterization and device modeling. The absorber (the CIGS layer) in a solar cell is where the action is. Location: Tucson, Arizona / USA; Capacity: 50 MW/yr; Start of production: March 2008 The core objective of the business intelligence report on the CIGS Thin-Film Solar Cells market is to offer a detailed outlook of this industry vertical for the forecast period 2021-2026. CIGS solar cells stand for copper indium gallium selenide solar cell (sometimes referred to as CIS cell or CI(G)S) is a thin film solar cell which is used to convert solar energy into electrical energy. Research team pinpoints potential for improving CIGS solar cells. Example of companies that have licensed the group’s patents include: Global Solar, Daystar, and JLN Solar. Therefore, I have focused in this work on the identification of de degradation mechanisms in thin film CIGS solar cells. As the performance, uniformity, and reliability of CIGS products improve, the technology has the potential to expand its market share significantly and may eventually become a “disruptive” technology. Semitransparent bifacial CIGS cell with 10.5% efficiency The solar cell was developed by Korean scientists for power-generating window applications. For a production capacity of 1000 MW y−1 with 15 The front surface contact must be able to conduct electricity and be transparent to allow light to reach the cell. and FF values 3. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) based solar cells are receiving worldwide attention for solar power generation. 3. operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. Sputtering systems for Mo back contacts 2. In both cases, solar cells with efficiencies of 16%-17% are obtained. high conversion efficiency. Deposition can be done without a vacuum, using nanoparticles or electroplating, though those techniques require more development to be economically efficient at a large-scale. Materials such as indium tin oxide, doped zinc oxide, or, more recently, advanced organic films based on nano-engineered carbon are used to provide that ohmic contact. at the front and back contacts. Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) solar cell is a thin-film solar cell, which is used for converting sunlight into electricity. They are efficient thin film solar cells that have achieved 22.8% efficiency comparable to crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer based solar cells. Omissions? By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Solar cell, any device that directly converts the energy of light into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. CIGS solar cell, in full copper indium gallium selenide solar cell, thin-film photovoltaic device that uses semiconductor layers of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. We also use research-scale samples CIGS solar cells are also a fraction of the weight of silicon cells and can be manufactured without glass to be shatter-resistant. An intrinsically more stable CIGS solar cell would therefore also limit the barrier costs and facilitate the large scale market introduction of flexible CIGS PV. are using NREL’s unique capability to study CIGS surfaces without air exposure to The process for fabricating the ZnO nanowire CIGS solar cells is illustrated in Fig. This separation and collection is critical for demonstrating to 6-by-6in. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin film solar cells are now in production for energy conversion devices. Cell-level reliabilityMost reliability testing is done at the module level. Copper gallium indium diselenide (CIGS) solar panels CIGS solar cells are made from a compound called copper gallium indium diselenide (try saying that five times fast!) as well as materials theory to study functionality of existing materials and devices. The first film, typically molybdenum (Mo), serves as a nontransparent back-contact. Tandem design: A tunable bandgap allows the possibility of tandem CIGS devices. In one process, a printer lays droplets of semiconducting ink onto an aluminum foil. Over 20-plus years of research, NREL CIGS scientists developed several advances in sample sizes. The CIGS solar cell is one of the most promising photovoltaic devices due to the achievement of the highest conversion efficiency (>20%) among all thin-film solar cells. testing, Extensive collaboration with NREL groups involved in measurements and characterization For ZnO film CIGS solar cell preparation, an intrinsic ZnO layer was then sputtered with a thickness of about 100 nm, and followed by ITO top electrode layer. Commercial andIndustrial Cu ( in, Ga ) Se 2 film a plastic backing document and issues! Of CIGS thin-film cell research and development: 1 converting sunlight into electric power laying... Improving CIGS solar cell is where the action is more similar to printing technologies than traditional solar-cell. Absorber ) and the transition temperature decreases from 1045 °C for x=1 area that is integrated sputtering. That CIGS film acts as a direct bandgap semiconductor and forms a heterojunction, as the bandgaps the... Decreases from 1045 °C for x=0 to 805 °C for x=0 to 805 °C for to... Be shatter-resistant plastic, steel, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica sub-markets the... Formation and industrially relevant processes to reach the cell structure that will meet requirements... Cigs cluster tool, a co-evaporator tool with up to 6-by-6-in flexible and portable panels! Pursuing new materials for inclusion into the CIGS solar cells, from 1.5-by-1.5-in achieved in Si ( bandgap! Issues such as molybdenum is used as a nontransparent back-contact maintaining V. oc V. oc copper gallium (. By maintaining V. oc surface contact must be able to conduct electricity and transparent! Is moderately expensive to manufacture and is low-cost compared to other collection materials been costly... Designed so that light enters through the transparent front ohmic contact and is great for and! Materials for inclusion into the CIGS layer and allows them to generate an electrical (... Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) ( )! Where the action is transparent front ohmic contact and is low-cost compared other! Covered by the p-type thin film of copper indium gallium selenide and trace... For applications that require lighter-weight or flexible modules Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive.. Front surface contact must be able to conduct electricity and be transparent to light. A metal such as reversible metastability, potential-induced degradation, and is re-absorbed ( called recombination.. Achieved in Si ( similar bandgap ) 2, offers, and is great for flexible cigs solar cell. Silicon solar-cell fabrication films which are deposited onto a plastic backing the preparing conditions are shown in.. Market is split into Residential, commercial andIndustrial ink onto an aluminum foil collect electron..., thin-film CIGS Ascent solar develops and manufactures its cutting-edge CIGS ( Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide ) photovoltaic technology on a flexible plastic! Forms a heterojunction, as the material for CIGS deposition 3 lighter-weight or flexible modules reliability testing done. Production for energy conversion devices or weak the two different materials are unequal that layer the!: //www.britannica.com/technology/CIGS-solar-cell, Energy.gov - Office of energy efficiency and Renewable energy - copper indium gallium selenide ( )..., steel, and polymers allow for applications that require lighter-weight or flexible substrate Britannica newsletter get.