CIGS Solar Cell: Explore the Cutting-Edge Thin-Film Technology

Imagine a world where solar energy changes everything in the renewable market. This dream is coming true with the development of CIGS solar cells. They are a type of thin-film solar technology. By 2027, the CIGS market might be valued at $6 billion, showing its bright future.

CIGS solar cells use copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. They absorb light really well, so they can be made very thin. This makes the solar panels flexible and light. They can fit many uses, from roofs to power on the go.

Even though CIGS tech is just 2% of the market now, it’s growing fast. It promises to be as good as silicon tech but cheaper to make. Big names like Solar Frontier and GSHK Solar are leading the way. They show how great and versatile this new tech is.

Fenice Energy is a top player in clean energy. They focus on CIGS solar cells, among other solutions like backup power and EV charging. With over 20 years in the field, they bring the best of CIGS tech to India. They aim to power India with sustainable solutions.

Key Takeaways

• CIGS solar cells are a thin-film photovoltaic technology that offers high optical absorption, enabling the use of much thinner semiconductor layers compared to silicon-based solar cells.
• CIGS cells can be fabricated on flexible substrates like plastic or metal foils, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, from rooftop panels to portable power solutions.
• The CIGS solar cell industry is expected to reach a market valuation of ₹43,000 crore (approximately $6 billion) by 2027, showcasing the immense potential of this innovative technology.
• Leading CIGS manufacturers, such as Solar Frontier, Global Solar, and GSHK Solar, are driving the industry forward, with Fenice Energy offering comprehensive clean energy solutions that leverage the latest advancements in CIGS technology.
• The flexibility, lightweight, and customizable nature of CIGS solar cells make them suitable for a wide range of applications, including building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), portable power solutions, and solar-powered electronics.

Introduction to CIGS Solar Cells

CIGS solar cells are a special kind of solar technology. They use a mix of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium as their main layer. This mix lets us change how much light they absorb by adjusting the amounts of indium and gallium.

These cells can absorb a lot of light, meaning they can be very thin. This makes them different from traditional solar cells that are thick. Because of this, CIGS cells are very useful in places where bulky solar panels won’t work well.

Definition and Composition

The special thing about CIGS cells is that they can be very flexible. They can be put on glass, plastic, or even thin metal. This makes it possible to have solar panels that can bend, ideal for many situations.

Because they are flexible, these solar panels can be on things like building materials or car roofs. This way, they can be used in many more ways than just sitting on the ground.

Advantages of Thin-Film Technology

CIGS solar cells make up about 2% of the solar market. This market of thin-film solar technology is around 15% of all solar panels. Big players in the market are companies like Solar Frontier from Japan.

However, making these thin-film solar panels has not been easy for some companies. Many have struggled and some have even gone out of business. But, Fenice Energy continues to lead in providing solutions for clean energy, with a strong history in the solar industry.

what is cigs solar cell

CIGS solar cells use materials like molybdenum and a mix of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. This mix absorbs sunlight well. Films of these elements are laid down carefully to make the solar cell work better.

Unique Properties of CIGS

One special thing about CIGS is that its bandgap can be adjusted. The bandgap is how much energy from light the solar cell can grab. A wider bandgap can catch more light energy.

Plus, CIGS can capture a lot of sunlight even if it’s not very thick. This makes it great for solar cells on things like roofs. And it can work on flexible materials, so it’s light and easy to carry.

Role of Sodium and Gallium

Adding sodium helps CIGS cells work better. It makes the sunlight-catching layer more even and bigger, which boosts the cell’s performance. But, too much gallium is bad for the cell. A good balance between the materials is crucial for success in solar cells.

CIGS Solar Cell Efficiency

CIGS solar cells have shown huge improvements in efficiency. In 2024, the highest efficiency measure was 23.64%. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, together with other top labs, found that CIGS cells can reach about 20% efficiency. These gains came from better materials, device structures, and how the cells are made. All this makes CIGS a strong player in solar energy.

Record Efficiencies and Advancements

The technology behind CIGS solar cells has made big steps in efficiency. Top research centers have reported breakthrough results. These gains came from getting better materials, altering device structures, and improving how these cells are made. This progress makes CIGS a real rival in solar energy.

Factors Affecting Efficiency

Several things affect how well CIGS solar cells work. The key is the mix and quality of the layers. Controlling ratios like Cu/III and Ga/In is vital for the cells to be very efficient. Also, how the surface looks and any defects can lower their performance.

Manufacturing and Deposition Techniques

CIGS solar cells are usually made on soda-lime glass. This glass has sodium that makes the solar cell work better. Yet, some are looking into using polyimide or metal foils for making the cells flexible and light. No matter the material used, getting the surface ready and putting on the back contact layer (which is usually molybdenum) are very important in making these cells.

Substrate Selection and Preparation

The type of material used as the base of CIGS solar cells is crucial. Usually, soda-lime glass is picked because of the sodium it contains. This sodium helps boost the solar cell’s efficiency. But, people are also checking out materials like polyimide or metal foils. These can make the solar modules light and easy to carry. No matter the chosen material, making sure the surface is prepared well and putting on the molybdenum back contact are key steps.

Sputtering and Co-Evaporation Methods

For the CIGS layer, two main methods are used: sputtering or co-evaporation. With sputtering, each essential material gets ‘splashed’ onto the substrate from different targets. On the flip side, co-evaporation means these materials are all evaporated at the same time onto the surface. Both ways need careful control of how the materials are laid down. This control is necessary to get the correct CIGS makeup and smooth film. The specific method used can affect how the solar cell’s structure, defects, and overall quality turn out.

Challenges and Future Prospects

One big issue with CIGS technology is the possible harm from cadmium (Cd) used in the buffer layer. To tackle this, some cells avoid Cd. But the issue of dealing with old CIGS solar panels stands. Scientists are working on making Cd-free, green CIGS solar cells.

Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability

CIGS solar cells are thin, which is good for making them cheaply with certain methods like sputtering and co-evaporation. But, it’s hard to make a lot of them well and keep quality high. Overcoming these problems is key to making CIGS tech truly cost-effective.

Potential Applications and Integration

CIGS solar cells are light and easy to fit almost anywhere. They’re great for things like blending with buildings, powering on the go, and in gadgets. As CIGS gets better and cheaper, we’ll see more of it everywhere, helping us use cleaner energy wisely.

Conclusion

CIGS solar cells are at the forefront of thin-film solar technology. They have high efficiency and can be made flexibly and at a low cost. Their special features, like tunable bandgaps and great light absorption, have pushed the technology forward. In 2024, efficiency rates hit over 23%.

Their use is not without challenges, like toxicity, scaling up, and costs. However, their versatility and potential make them an exciting choice in green energy. Fenice Energy, a top name in clean energy, especially with CIGS solar, aims to boost sustainable energy use in India and worldwide.

With more than 20 years in the field, Fenice Energy stands out with its inventive CIGS solar products. This expertise makes them a reliable choice for India’s shift to cleaner energy. As the need for eco-friendly power rises, CIGS cells are looking like a key player in India’s energy future. They offer high efficiency, flexibility, and are cost-effective.

FAQ

What is a CIGS solar cell?

CIGS solar cells are made of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. They are thin and capture light well. This means they can use less material than other solar cells.

What are the advantages of CIGS solar technology?

They can be made on flexible materials like plastic. This makes them good for many things, from roofs to small devices. They are efficient like silicon but cheaper to make.

Who are the leading CIGS solar cell manufacturers?

Leading makers include Solar Frontier and Global Solar. GSHK Solar is also at the top. Fenice Energy offers CIGS solar and has been in the business for over 20 years.

How do CIGS solar cells work?

They have layers that work together to turn sunlight into energy. Light is absorbed, creating electricity. This electricity is then carried away and used.

What are the unique properties of CIGS solar cells?

They can change to be very good at capturing light. This makes them very useful for solar energy. Their light-capturing ability is very high.

How important is sodium and gallium in CIGS solar cells?

Sodium makes them work better and last longer. Gallium helps control the type of light they use. This combination makes the cells more efficient.

What are the record efficiencies for CIGS solar cells?

The best CIGS solar cells have gotten almost a quarter of the sunlight they receive into energy. That’s a big step up from before. Many research groups have shown they can perform well too.

What factors influence the efficiency of CIGS solar cells?

Many parts affect how well CIGS solar cells work. How the layers are made and how they connect is very important. Getting the mix of materials just right is key.

What are the common deposition techniques for CIGS solar cells?

CIGS cells are made by either sputtering or co-evaporation. In sputtering, material is knocked off targets and onto the solar cell. In co-evaporation, it’s evaporated all together.

What are the challenges facing CIGS solar technology?

The use of cadmium has brought up concerns. Making a lot of these solar cells is also not easy. Consistency in their performance needs more work too.

What are the potential applications of CIGS solar cells?

These cells can go on many things because they are flexible. They can be part of buildings or used for powering small gadgets. They are becoming an important part of our solar future.