Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

World’s first flexible CIGS modules receive UL certification

In what has been described as a “watershed breakthrough” for the photovoltaics (PV) industry, U.S.-based SoloPower has said its flexible copper indium gallium (di) selenide (CIGS) modules are the first of their kind to receive Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification.

The company is also looking to "significantly" increase capacity. Image: SoloPower.

SoloPower CEO, Tim Harris, added that the company is currently in the process of adding a second manufacturing line, which will “significantly increase capacity, to meet expected demand”.

Furthermore, the company has announced it is in discussions with the U.S.’s Department of Energy to potentially obtain a loan guarantee under EPACT 2005 Section 1703, in order to support the construction of an additional multiple-line production facility.

Certification

UL certification was granted following rigorous testing at an independent laboratory, explained the company. The thin film modules were tested to UL 1703, the standard for safety for PV module manufacturing.

"The certification of SoloPower's flexible CIGS module is an important step toward the realization of lightweight, high-power, flexible solar modules with potential to expand the roof-top solar market and reduce balance of system costs,” commented Dr. Rommel Noufi, principal scientist of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “It is an important milestone for the industry. I feel very gratified to see, after a 30-year career in thin film CIGS PV at NREL, the technology become mature."

The company has said the module is the first UL-certified product in a line of flexible modules being introduced initially to European and North American markets. It added that it was also the first manufacturer to receive UL certification for rigid modules based on flexible CIGS PV cells last June.

Californian Governer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, stated: “As governor, I have made it a point to make California an environmental leader with a global footprint. SoloPower's advancement demonstrates that California is leading the way in technology innovation for the green economy."

EU PVSEC

SoloPower is currently displaying its modules at this year’s EU PVSEC, which opened its doors yesterday. Company CTO, Dr. Mustafa Pinarbasi, will additionally speak about "Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing of Flexible CIGS Cells and Panels" at a conference tomorrow.