SoloPower achieves record flexible module efficiency

SAN JOSE, USA: SoloPower Inc., a leading manufacturer of high efficiency thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and lightweight flexible solar modules, announced that the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) in Golden, Colorado have confirmed that the Company’s flexible solar panels have achieved an aperture efficiency of 11 percent.

SoloPower submitted flexible modules manufactured using the Company’s proprietary low cost electroplated copper indium gallium di-selenide (CIGS) process to NREL for verification earlier this year.

The CIGS devices are laminated in an encapsulation system that provides a moisture barrier and environmental integrity. The rugged low-cost, high-efficiency module is expected to address the rapidly expanding commercial and industrial rooftop and distributed solar power generation market.

“We have focused on the development of innovative, lightweight flexible modules that are rugged and add significant value in commercial and industrial rooftop applications, utility scale ground mounted facilities, and the emerging Building Integrated PV market (BIPV). The verification of our superior aperture efficiency by NREL affirms our belief that our products will become the solution-of-choice for suppliers in this exciting market,” said Arthur Rudin, Vice President of Marketing.

Mustafa Pinarbasi, Sr. Vice President of Technology Development added: “These results are based on the Company’s simultaneous advances in many separate disciplines; including thin-film process and cell structure, roll-to-roll manufacturing, module design and implementation as well as encapsulation and testing. Our team has worked diligently to provide world-class solutions to the challenging problems encountered in all of these critical areas.”

Recent technical development
NREL has verified 11 percent aperture efficiency on the company’s current flexible modules, built on the company’s roll-to-roll volume manufacturing line.

Also using SoloPower’s patented electroplating process, the company had previously demonstrated 13.4 percent efficiency on 11.8cm2 lab cells (verified by NREL).

The company has submitted its flexible module for independent laboratory certification to standard UL1703 following successful internal verification including damp-heat testing. Internal results demonstrated minimal power degradation (<5 percent Pmax) with over 1,000 hours at 85 percent humidity and 85°C temperature.