Verified by the Fraunhofer ISE Institute, CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenid) thin-film manufacturer, Solibro, a subsidiary of Q-Cells, reported a CIGS test module has achieved a new world record conversion efficiency of 17.4%. Earlier this year Solibro produced a record full module reading of 14.7% in series production.
“We are very proud of this result as it demonstrates the leadership of the CIGS technology produced by Q-Cells’ subsidiary Solibro,” remarked Lars Stolt, CTO of Solibro. “The current record verifies the feasibility of the efficiency roadmap of the Q.SMART module targeting an average aperture efficiency out of series production of up to 16.7 % in 2016.”
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The record 16cm2 test module, was said to have been fabricated using processes that could be scaled to mass production. Q-Cells noted that the co-evaporation CIGS process uses metal flux profiles, temperature profiles as well as process time similar to Solibro’s current production.
The modules also employ a 'light-soaking” effect, claimed to be unique in the thin-film sector to generate an average of 2.5% power boost above nominal power at standard test conditions.
