Serious issues over the viability of thin-film technologies and the companies using them were brought forward with the shutdown and looming bankruptcy of Solyndra this week. However, at EU PVSEC on Tuesday, September 6, at 11:30 am, CIGS turnkey equipment provider Manz is holding its CIGSforum, which is open to register for attendance.
After announcing its collaboration on CIGS technology from Würth Solar and ZSW over a year ago, Manz said it was focused on lowering manufacturing costs and boosting module efficiencies from 14% closer to the record levels set at ZSW of 20.3%.
“Module manufacturers are currently seeing a dramatic drop in prices worldwide,” noted Dieter Manz, founder and CEO of Manz AG. “The only companies that will survive financially are the ones positioned as cost leaders and offering the modules with the highest efficiency available. Our CIGSfab accommodates both requirements, and it is based on the most promising technology in thin film today.”
Manz is again showcasing the capabilities of it’s CIGSfab in Hamburg by presenting a world-record thin-film module with an aperture efficiency of 15.1%, which corresponds to 14% module efficiency, using mass production equipment in cooperation with Würth Solar.
“The challenge now for our cooperation efforts is to significantly reduce the gap between the laboratory values and the level of efficiency achieved in mass production,” added Manz.
