What is CIGS?
CIGS is a compound semiconductor made up of the elements Copper, Indium, Gallium and Selenium. This material is a very powerful absorber of the Sun’s rays, with demonstrated conversion efficiencies approaching 20% for small-scale CIGS solar cells produced at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). A CIGS absorber film requires only 1-2µm of material to convert sunlight into electricity, offering potential for significantly reduced material costs over conventional silicon solar cells.
CIGS films are coated onto substrates that have been metallized with Molybdenum as a back contact to collect electric current. A thin buffer layer of Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) is deposited onto the absorber film, forming a junction between a p-type semiconductor (CIGS) and an n-type CdS layer. A transparent conductive window layer, typically doped zinc oxide (ZnO), forms the top contact of the device, resulting in a complete CIGS solar cell. |
| As light passes through the ZnO layer, it is absorbed by the CIGS, creating electron-hole pairs. An electric field created at the CIGS/CdS junction draws negatively charged electrons to the ZnO layer, which generates a flow of positive charges in the opposite direction, producing an electric current. |
| CIGS solar cells can be fabricated on both rigid and flexible substrates, adding to their desirability as the next generation photovoltaic material of choice. When properly sealed and laminated, CIGS modules can deliver stable performance while withstanding exposure to the elements as well as direct solar radiation for over 20 years in the field. For the entire article go to http://www.isetinc.com/technology-overview.php Like us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/torreyhillstechnologies |
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