David Savastano, Editor08.04.10
The idea of printing thin film solar cells for a wide range of applications has strong appeal. The possibility of creating a renewable power source that is both lightweight and flexible, utilizing low-cost substrates and production processes, has tremendous value in a variety of fields, from smart fabrics and consumer electronics to building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
Photo courtesy of Ascent Solar Technologies. |
As a result, PV companies are constantly working to improve performance on their products, and it is noteworthy when a company certifies improvements. The PEfield recently saw a few such announcements that are noteworthy.
Solarmer Energy, El Monte, CA, a leader in organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, is focused on the area of transparent, flexible plastic solar panels. Last week, the company announced that it set a new world record for OPV cell efficiency, breaking the 8 percent barrier and recording an 8.13% efficiency. This milestone was certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
In 2009, Solarmer notched three such world records, beginning with 6.8%, which shows how far the technology has come. The company is targeting 10% by the end of 2011.
Heliatek GmbH, Dresden, Germany, also specializes in the OPV market, utilizing vacuum deposition. In April 2010, the company, jointly founded by the Technical University of Dresden and the University of Ulm, announced that it achieved a certified efficiency of 7.7% over an active area of 1.1 cm2 along with its partners, Technical University of Dresden's Institute of Applied Photo-Physics and BASF. The results were certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany.
Heliatek is preparing to go into production with its technology, announcing that in cooperation with FHR Anlagenbau GmbH, the company will be building its first production site in Dresden.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., Thornton, CO, utilizes copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) technology for its thin film modules, which are targeted for the military, automotive and construction industries. The company uses roll-to-roll production utilizing polyimide substrates, and was honored with the prestigious R&D 100 Award this year.
Two weeks ago, Ascent Solar announced that an independent laboratory conducted a series of tests on Ascent Solar modules under the requirements of the IEC 61646 standards. The modules passed all of the test requirements, including the standard of 1,000 hours of damp heat testing (85% relative humidity and 85°C temperature) set forth by IEC for performance and long term reliability. These are critical measurements for an outdoor product.
Ascent Solar has now begun external certification under IEC 61646 by submitting product intended for BIPV and building applied photovoltaic (BAPV) applications for use in commercial and residential rooftop markets.
These are just three examples of recent advancements in the thin film PV market, and illustrate how far the technology has moved ahead in recent years.