Based on results from its own pilot line, centrotherm photovoltaics has said that it has achieved CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) thin film module (0.1 m² size) efficiencies of 13% and expects its first customer for its turnkey system to achieve 12% efficiencies with 1.5 m² sized thin film modules, in 2009.
“The efficiencies for thin film modules already achieved in laboratories demonstrate the potentials this technology holds. The challenge, however, is to make the leap from laboratory to mass production,” explained Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics. “Our advantage in CIGS technology lies in simple and robust process management, and selection process steps that can be transferred easily from small areas to larger ones.”
centrotherm established a R&D centre in Blaubeuren, Germany at the beginning of 2008 for CIGS development.