Siva Power claims 18.8% lab CIGS efficiency

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

US-based start-up, Siva Power formerly Solexant, has reported a CIGS cell efficiency of 18.8% that it claims was verified by NREL in December 2013.

The company did provide further details on the cell dimensions or specifications, but touted that it had come close to equalling record cell efficiencies previously reported by the US NREL, the Swiss laboratory, EMPA and ZSW in Germany.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Siva Power noted that it employs a three-stage co-evaporation process that was also used for the majority of previous CIGS cell records.

Charlie Gay joins Siva

The company also announced that former head of Applied Materials PV operations and a former NREL director, Charlie Gay, had agreed to join its Technical Advisory Board.

“I am honoured to join such an experienced team with Beck, Noufi, and Benner,” said Dr. Gay.  “Collectively, they represent one of the most experienced groups ever assembled for CIGS technology and high volume manufacturing.”

Siva Power is targeting mass production of CIGS thin-film modules with sub-US$0.40 per watt costs.

Update
 
Markus Beck, CTO of Siva, told Eric Wesoff from Greentechmedia (GTM) that the verified CIGS solar cell was a 0.5cm2 sample.
 
To prove its production scale capabilities a <0.002mm thin obsorber layer was deposited, generating a cell with 11 millivolts, GTM reported. A fill factor of 79% was claimed by Siva. 

Read Next

September 10, 2025
At RE+ 2025, companies launched AI-driven platforms, terrain-following trackers, low-carbon modules, and advanced energy management solutions for solar and storage.
Premium
September 10, 2025
PV Talk: Italy’s new CfD policy offers clear support for solar developers in an otherwise uncertain legislative landscape, says Terrawatt's Patrizio Donati.
September 10, 2025
A project claimed to be Germany’s largest agriPV plant has been commissioned in the north-east of the country.
September 10, 2025
Renewables developer rPlus Energies has secured US$100 million in tax equity financing for its 125MW solar PV plant in the US state of Idaho.
September 10, 2025
Indian solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar reported a 79.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of FY26.
September 10, 2025
Cordelio Power has started commercial operations at its 150MW Winfield solar project in Lincoln County, Missouri.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines