Global Solar Energy has been selling CIGS thin-film products on a flexible substrate for over six years. The company claims that, from portable solar chargers to next generation building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products, its cells are the enabling technology behind several growing market segments.
Ryne Raffaelle, director of NREL’s National Center for Photovoltaics, said: “Global Solar Energy is the first company to exceed the 13% efficiency target using thin films on a flexible stainless steel substrate, and joins a small number of PV companies who have met this high efficiency milestone for large thin film power modules.
“This result is remarkable, given that the module was made using standard production equipment and manufacturing processes at Global Solar Energy.”
Global Solar Energy manufactures thin-film solar cells for glass module or flexible material products. NREL is a laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.
