Engineering (Aug 2017)

Advances in Cost-Efficient Thin-Film Photovoltaics Based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2

  • Michael Powalla,
  • Stefan Paetel,
  • Dimitrios Hariskos,
  • Roland Wuerz,
  • Friedrich Kessler,
  • Peter Lechner,
  • Wiltraud Wischmann,
  • Theresa Magorian Friedlmeier

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENG.2017.04.015
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 4
pp. 445 – 451

Abstract

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In this article, we discuss the leading thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology based on the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) compound semiconductor. This contribution includes a general comparison with the conventional Si-wafer-based PV technology and discusses the basics of the CIGS technology as well as advances in world-record-level conversion efficiency, production, applications, stability, and future developments with respect to a flexible product. Once in large-scale mass production, the CIGS technology has the highest potential of all PV technologies for cost-efficient clean energy generation.

Keywords