US NREL says CIGS cell close to silicon efficiency

Mar. 26, 2008 – The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory says it has developed a copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cell with a record 19.9% efficiency, close to the level of multicrystalline silicon-based solar cells (~20%).

Researchers noted improvements in the quality of the material applied during the manufacturing process boosted the cell’s power output.

“The thin film people have always looked for matching silicon in performance, and we are reaching that goal,” said NREL senior scientist Miguel Contreras, in a statement.

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