thin-film photovoltaics are catching up / ZSW and

Press Release 01/2016
Stuttgart, Germany, January 28, 2016
The solar technologies race:
thin-film photovoltaics are catching up
ZSW and HZB present current data – with new
opportunities for Europe’s solar industry
The overwhelming majority of photovoltaic installations world
wide are equipped with solar cells made of crystalline silicon.
That could change in the future, according to results of an analysis by the Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und WasserstoffForschung (ZSW) and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien and Energy (HZB) along with international partners from research and industry. Progress in copper-indium-gallium-sulfide
(CIGS) thin-film technology is making this possible: the most advanced alternative to silicon with the highest efficiency is becoming increasingly efficient and cost-effective. In addition, CIGS’
higher yield for weak lighting conditions and shadow as well as
visually attractive installation options are advantageous. The timing for companies to expand production capacities is said to be
especially favourable, according to the authors. This could open
up major opportunities for the solar industry in Europe.
The numbers are impressive: 52 gigawatts of new solar power capacity were installed world wide in 2015 – a new record. In total, the global
installed capacity amounts to at least 220 gigawatts. Annual demand is
expected to reach more than 100 gigawatts in the coming years and
excess capacity will diminish. That will soon make new solar cell factories necessary.
Efficiency levels and costs are approaching those of silicon PV
With an overwhelming market share of over 90%, crystalline silicon PV
still remains the top dog of photovoltaic technologies. But progress in
thin-film photovoltaics based on copper-indium-gallium-selenide
(CIGS) has been noticeable. With the appearance of comprehensive
turn-key production facilities for mass production at gigawatt scales,
current records are tumbling.
And while polycrystalline silicon cells attain efficiency levels of 21.3 per
cent, CIGS solar cells have in the meantime already reached 22.3 per
cent. The efficiency of modules is still slightly better for silicon PV, but
both technologies are nearly equal at 15-17 per cent. Meanwhile, production costs of the CIGS modules have since fallen to the level of
silicon technology – 40 cents US per watt.
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Zentrum für Sonnenenergieund Wasserstoff-Forschung
Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)
Standort Stuttgart:
Industriestr. 6, 70565 Stuttgart
Since production capacity of the youthful thin-film PV tech is still not as
high as its mature competitor, considerably improved numbers could
be expected following expansion of its production. Efficiency levels of
18 per cent or more as well as costs of about 25 cents US per watt are
attainable for CIGS PV factories with an annual capacity of 500-1000
megawatts, according to industry representatives among the authors.
Competitive costs are reached even at comparatively low production
volumes, in contrast to silicon PV. This means considerably lower initial capital expenditures for investors.
Competition to polycrystalline silicon modules is becoming stiffer
Moreover, thin-film technology possesses engineering advantages: the
modules deliver high yields under weak lighting conditions. The lower
energy and materials consumption during manufacture results in a
shorter period of time for an installation to produce the energy its manufacture consumed (the amortisation or payback period) because less
energy is used in manufacturing the modules. The higher shadow tolerance is also a positive feature for installation owners. And because
the modules appear visually homogenous, they can be integrated in a
more attractive manner on roofs or façades of homes. Flexible and
configurable versions are also being developed that can score points
with the high efficiency of CIGS.
“Solar power modules based on silicon will still own the major share of
the market for a while yet”, says ZSW board member Professor Michael Powalla. “The prospects for CIGS thin-film photovoltaics have
recently risen again though.” Now would be an opportunity particularly
for module manufacturers and for facilities and mechanical engineering
firms in Germany and Europe.
The new information has been compiled by an alliance of 25 CIGS
experts from all over the world together with Michael Powalla and his
colleague Dr. Rutger Schlatmann from the HZB together and published
as a white paper. The comprehensive four-page English document is
available for download at www.cigs-pv.net.
The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) is
one of the leading institutes for applied research in the areas of photovoltaics, renewable fuels, battery technology, and fuel cells as well as energy system analysis. ZSW
employs about 230 scientists, engineers, and technicians at its three locations in
Stuttgart, Ulm, and Widderstall, Germany, in addition to 70 scientific aids and students.
The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) conducts research on
complex systems of materials, helping meet challenges like the energy transition. One
of the research priorities is the field of energy materials, those based on thin-film technologies in particular. The HZB is a member of the Helmholtz Association and
founded the Competence Centre for Photovoltaics (PVcomB) to promote technology
transfer to industry.
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Zentrum für Sonnenenergieund Wasserstoff-Forschung
Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)
Standort Stuttgart:
Industriestr. 6, 70565 Stuttgart
Zentrum für Sonnenenergieund Wasserstoff-Forschung
Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)
Press Contacts
Claudia Brusdeylins, Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und
Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Industriestr. 6,
70565 Stuttgart, Germany. Tel. +49 (0)711 7870-278, Fax +49 (0)711
7870-230, [email protected], www.zsw-bw.de
Standort Stuttgart:
Industriestr. 6, 70565 Stuttgart
Antonia Rötger, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie
(HZB), Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1 (previously Glienicker Str. 100), 14109
Berlin, Tel +49 (0)30 8062-43733, Fax +49 (0)30 8062-42998,
[email protected], www.helmholtz-berlin.de
Axel Vartmann, PR-Agentur Solar Consulting GmbH,
Emmy-Noether-Str. 2, 79110 Freiburg,
Tel.: +49 (0)761 380968-23, Fax: +49 (0)761 380968-11,
[email protected], www.solar-consulting.de
A roll-to-roll plant manufacturing flexible CIGS modules. Photo credit:
ZSW
500 m2 of CIGS thin-film photovoltaic modules integrated into exterior
architecture. Photo credit: Manz AG
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Pictures and a fact sheet
on ZSW is available
from:
Solar Consulting GmbH
Zentrum für Sonnenenergieund Wasserstoff-Forschung
Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)
Standort Stuttgart:
Industriestr. 6, 70565 Stuttgart
Manufacturing costs of CIGS modules. Illustration: CIGS White Paper
(www.cigs-pv.net)
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