Scientists at the German Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) achieved an efficiency of 21.7 % with a thin-film solar cell made of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). The last record was set by Swedish researchers, who produced solar cells with an efficiency of 21 %.

“It will probably take some time for this efficiency increase to make its way into module manufacturing,” explains Michael Powalla, ZSW board member and head of the Photovoltaics division, “but 17 to 19 % is very much possible in the next few years.” Currently available CIGS modules have an efficiency of around 15 %.

In the lab, more than 40 cells with efficiencies over 21 % were produced. These results were confirmed by the Fraunhofer ISE. All cells have a standard size of 0.5 cm² and a co-evaporation process was used for their production. The technology was jointly developed with the German company Manz AG and since the process is reproducible in the lab, it might be possible to use the method in industrial manufacturing processes.

The researchers hope that their project will help to reduce the overall costs of solar cells in the future, since the production of CIGS cells uses less material and energy.

Tanja Peschel

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