Siva Power touts new CIGS low-cost roadmap

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Start-up Siva Power has touted a revised low-cost roadmap for CIGS thin-film modules that would generate US$0.28/Watt on a single 300MW fully-automated production line.

Siva Power, formerly Solexant, had reported a lab-based CIGS cell efficiency of 18.8%, verified by NREL in December, 2013 as well as recruit former head of Applied Materials PV operations and a former NREL director, Charlie Gay to its Technical Advisory Board.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Currently Siva Power is only in process of building a small mini-module pilot line, yet is claiming its modelled US$0.28/Watt cost is geographically agnostic, due to the use of commercially proven FPD (Flat Panel Display) equipment and technology.

The 300MW production line was also said to have been modelled as the best scale for module production.

“Silicon photovoltaic (PV) technology still relies on brute force replication of small production lines. The next wave of solar will require advanced manufacturing, high-speed automated production lines based on thin film PV,” said Brad Mattson, CEO of Siva Power. “Our technology roadmap results in a solar 'Factory of the Future' with gigawatt production capacity, competitive efficiency and the world's lowest cost.”

Whether Siva Power will itself migrate to volume production in the future is unclear, though the company could be following the route of Applied Materials, Oerlikon Solar as well as Stion in providing turnkey solutions or simply licensing IP to new entrants or existing PV manufacturers looking to develop a presence in the thin-film market.

The majority of the first wave of a-Si thin-film entrants and many in the CIGS segment in the last decade have failed.

Read Next

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas USA
Solar Media Events
April 17, 2024
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
May 1, 2024
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
May 21, 2024
Napa, USA