MiaSole, a manufacturer of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, announced that the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed a 15.5 percent aperture area efficiency on commercial size flexible PV module (total area 1.68m2). MiaSole states that its record represents over 2 points of improvement compared to the previous world record for flexible PV of 13.4 percent set earlier this year.
"Achieving 15.5 percent efficiency is a clear validation of MiaSole’s unique and innovative approach to delivering high efficiency CIGS flexible cell technology," said John Carrington, CEO of MiaSole. "MiaSole’s world leading efficiency and low cost flexible PV technology demonstrates the potential of CIGS compared to silicon-based and other thin film technologies."
MiaSole states that its proprietary cell technology is creating new and compelling opportunities for their customers by bringing high efficiencies to flexible applications. Companies in the building, vehicle and fabric integrated PV markets that were previously unable to realize the potential of solar, can now explore new and innovative applications for high efficiency, flexible solar panels.
"Along with our current capacity to deliver 14.5 percent glass modules, the NREL verification of our flexible modules highlights the progress we are continuously making against our efficiency roadmap and goal of delivering the lowest levelized cost of electricity to our customers," added Carrington.
The cells for the record device were made using MiaSole’s existing production lines in Santa Clara, CA. MiaSole’s large area flexible PV module was submitted for evaluation by NREL as part of the company’s ongoing process for third party verification.
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