Advances in Cost-Efficient Thin-Film Photovoltaics Based on Cu(In, Ga)Se2. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Powalla, Michael; Paetel, Stefan; Hariskos, Dimitrios; Wuerz, Roland; Kessler, Friedrich; Lechner, Peter; Wischmann, Wiltraud; Friedlmeier, Theresa Magorian
• Is Part Of: Engineering. Volume 3:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 445
• Page End: 451
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Thin-film photovoltaics -- Solar energy -- Flexible -- Cu(In, Ga)Se2; Engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering -- China -- Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1016/J.ENG.2017.04.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2095-8099

Abstract

Abstract: In this article, we discuss the leading thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology based on the Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) compound semiconductor. This contribution includes a general comparison with the conventional Si-wafer-based PV technology and discusses the basics of the CIGS technology as well as advances in world-record-level conversion efficiency, production, applications, stability, and future developments with respect to a flexible product. Once in large-scale mass production, the CIGS technology has the highest potential of all PV technologies for cost-efficient clean energy generation.