Ascent Solar achieves 9.5% efficiency for its CIGS modules

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. has reached a company milestone today, announcing its achievement of greater than 9.5% efficiency for its flexible Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide (CIGS) monolithically integrated modules. The U.S. Department of Energy’s NREL independently verified that the modules measured as high as 9.64% in conversion efficiency. The modules tested are from Ascent’s 1.5MW pilot production line.

Dr. Prem Nath, Sr. Vice President of Manufacturing for Ascent Solar, commented, “We have been working to achieve these efficiencies during our internal optimization process, and we view this achievement as a tremendous breakthrough. The test modules measure six inches wide by one foot long and serve as our building block for portable power and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products.” He continued by saying, “Our goal continues to be the commercialization of flexible thin-film CIGS modules using a plastic substrate, which we hope will uniquely position Ascent Solar to provide lightweight flexible photovoltaic material at low cost.”