Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S) sub(2) solar cell research in Solar Frontier: Progress and current status

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 56; no. 4; p. 04CA02
• Main Author: Kato, Takuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Buffers; CIGS; COPPER SELENIDE; Efficiency; Laboratories; Mass production; Modules; Photovoltaic cells; Solar cells; THIN FILMS
• DOI: 10.7567/JJAP.56.04CA02
• ISSN: 0021-4922

As the largest manufacturer of Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S) sub(2)(CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic modules with more than 1 GW/year production volume, Solar Frontier K.K. has continuously improved module performance and small-area cell efficiencies in the laboratory. Because of our low-cost and environmentally-friendly process, Solar Frontier's CIGS is a promising technology for the mass production of photovoltaic modules to fill ever-increasing demand. Recently we have achieved certified efficiencies of 22.3 and 22.0% on CdS-buffered and Cd-free buffered small-area cells, respectively, as well as 18.6% on a Cd-free mini-module. In this paper, a review of our CIGS technology and recent progress on the development of the module and the small-area cell is presented.