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Solar Technology Overview
Photovoltaics turn sunlight into usable electricity. A solar system consists of an array of solar modules and non-module equipments, such as structural supports, cabling, DC-AC inverter, installation, all of which are typically referred to as the balance of system (BOS).
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Solar System Overview
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There are two main types of photovoltaic technologies: crystalline and thin film.
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| Crystalline silicon |
Crystalline silicon (c-Si) is the benchmark technology for PV cells. Crystalline technology was first launched in 1962. It occupies about 90% of the PV market. The best commercial c-Si module conversion efficiency is 18% for mono-crystalline, and 15% for poly-crystalline. |
| Thin film |
Thin film PV device is created by depositing thin layers of several different materials onto a substrate and then processed the material to create the required cell structure.
Thin film solar cell only requires a small fraction of the expensive silicon required for crystalline silicon PV. Thin film module efficiency range from 6% to about 12%. Various light absorbing materials are used in thin film solar cell, such as amorphous silicon (a-Si), CIGS, and CdTe.
Amongst all thin film technologies, CIGS possesses the best performance potential, which theoretical conversion efficiency of 25%, and the lowest production cost. Nanowin CIGS solution captures the best of this technology. Nanowin’s CIGS turnkey produces one the of highest performing modules in the industry at the lowest production cost. |
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An overview and comparison of pros and cons of each major PV technologies |
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A-SI |
CIS / CIGS |
CdTe |
Standard |
| Full name |
Amorphous silicon |
Copper Indium(Gallium)
Diselenide |
Cadmium Telluride |
Crystalline silicon |
| Example of application |
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| Module efficiency |
5-8%; triple junction up to 10% |
9-12% |
7-10% |
13-18% |
| Capital costs(US$/Watt) |
US$ 2-3 |
US$ 2-3 |
US$ 1.5 |
US$ 0.80  |
| Manufacturing cost(US&/Watt) |
US$ 1.5-2 |
US$ 1.5-2 |
US$ 1.3-2 |
US$ 2.5-3 |
| Share of solar market(06) |
4.7% |
0.2% |
2.7% |
92.4% |
| Pros |
More mature, similar process to familiar TFT-LCD panels, uses 1/100 silicon of crystalline solar cells |
Thin and flexible, more efficient than A-SI |
Low manufacturing costs, relatively high efficiency in non-peak conditions |
Very mature technology, with well-established supply chains and technologies |
| Cons |
Low efficiency, durability |
Potential indium shortage |
Cadmium is toxic, potential tellurium shortage |
Raw material shortage has prevented natural price declines |
| Representative companies |
Energy Conversion Devices, Sharp, Kanaka, China Solar |
Nanosolar, DayStar, Miasole, Honda, Shell |
First solar, Antec |
Motech, E-Ton, Trina Solar, Suntech, Sharp, Q-Cells |
| Including ingot, wafer, cell and module making equipment, Down to US$1.5-all else being equal- if P-Si prices fall to five-year average, Source:International Energy Agency (IEA); photon International; CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets |
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Why CIGS Thin Film? |
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Why CIGS solar power
- CIGS solar power does not require large quantities of silicon. Therefore, CIGS solar power has a large cost savings compared to several other kinds of solar power.
- The low price of a CIGS turnkey ensures a quick return on investment.
Goals
- To promote, develop, and lead the thin film solar cell technology industry.
- To provide the most competitive products that are based easy of implementation, high efficiency, and low cost.
- To take advantage of the latest technological developments increasing the value of our products and reducing the costs. Currently, our products are made possible through the use of modern thin film sputtering technology, including the use of thin film sputtering, photon sputtering, photon intercuts and reflection sputtering.
- This innovational technology and the materials used makes sure the production process is safe and clean. Moreover, the products are light and easy to use.
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↓CIGS solar cell Structure |
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↓CIGS Testing illustration |
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