News Article
Global Solar to power world’s largest CIGS rooftop
Global Solar Energy will use thin film Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) technology to power solar energy for a plastics manufacturer in Orgiano, Italy,
Global Solar, a global manufacturer of high-efficiency CIGS solar materials announces that its technology is powering the largest CIGS rooftop installation in the world. The firm is the only CIGS manufacturer in full-scale production on a flexible substrate and has achieved 11% average solar cell efficiency.
The system, currently producing 820 kW of solar energy was made possible by Yohkon Energía SL, a Spanish producer of solar modules and applied solutions, and CDM Italy, a photovoltaic (PV) specialist and Italian branch for Espacasa SL Spain and Global Solar.
As a strategic partner of Global Solar, Yohkon Energía manufactures modules based on the company’s CIGS material. CIGS is a thin-film PV technology, which offers significant benefits over traditional crystalline silicon PV such as lowering cost of materials, lighter weight, flexibility, and improved efficiency in low light and extreme temperatures. Global Solar is the only company reliably producing CIGS that can be encapsulated in either traditional glass modules or in a flexible laminate.
“Yohkon recognizes the tremendous technological benefits that CIGS PV offers, including its high-power density, which is why we have been recommending the technology for installations throughout our markets in Spain and Portugal,” said Jose Maria del Barrio, GM of Yohkon Energía SL. “We partnered with Global Solar because it has proven to be the industry leader in delivering high-efficiency CIGS at a manufacturing capacity that allows to ensure that this project will be the first of many.”
“CIGS is one of the most efficient thin-film technologies, with enormous potential to make new applications such as integration with building materials cost effective and viable,” said Enrico Faedo GM of CMD Italy. “Partnering with CIGS technology veterans like Global Solar was a natural fit to help us reach our goal to complete the largest CIGS PV rooftop system.”
Verified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Global Solar is the first company to exceed the 13% efficiency target using CIGS thin-films on a flexible stainless steel substrate. Global Solar have used their CIGS technology to power portable solar chargers, traditional glass modules and next generation building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products.
“The recently completed rooftop system in Italy is a milestone for the CIGS market as much as it is for Global Solar,” remarked Dr. Jeff Britt, CEO of Global Solar. “Given that Global Solar is producing CIGS solar cells with efficiency well above 11% we recognize that the Yokhon Energía and CDM Italy system is merely the first in a new chapter of solar technology adoption. We look forward to working with these organizations as Global Solar’s technology in both glass modules and BIPV continues to be applied in systems around the world.”
