We rely on CIGSSe technology in the manufacture of our thin film solar modules.

Thin film solar modules – the next step in photo-voltaic systems

A solar module converts sunlight directly into electrical energy. Thin film solar modules are based – as the name suggests – on a wafer-thin semi-conducting absorber layer. Our unique semiconductor made of copper, indium, gallium, sulphur and selenium is just 3 µm thick – half the thickness of a hair and almost one hundred times thinner than a silicon cell. This saves on raw materials. But thin film solar modules also offer further advantages: the conversion of a broader light spectrum means that electricity is generated even under low light conditions. Due to the construction of the cells comparatively high yields can be obtained even under conditions of partial shadow. Due to improved temperature coefficients – which means lower loss of performance at high temperatures – thin film modules are especially suited to temperatures over 25 degrees Celsius.

Integrated production – from glass pane to solar module

In the first production step, a wafer-thin layer of molybdenum is applied to a glass pane. This layer forms the back contact of the cells. The actual semiconductor only emerges in subsequent process steps. For this, the precursor layer consisting of copper, indium and gallium is first applied. These three elements are then chemically transformed in a diffusion process under a gaseous atmosphere containing sulphur and selenium. The result is a unique crystalline coating – the CIGSSe absorber layer. It guarantees the high performance level of our modules. The electrical serial connection of individual cells into a module is realised during the coating process by structuring individual layers. This structuring gives rise to the typical "pinstripe" design of the thin film modules.