Germany-based Manz AG, a high-tech mechanical engineering company, has presented an efficiency of 21.7 per cent for CIGS thin film solar cell from exclusive research partner ZSW, marking a new world record.

It is the highest efficiency ever achieved in thin film solar technology and significantly exceeds the previous record held by today's market-leading multicrystalline silicon solar technology. The world record was officially confirmed by the Frauenhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg.

Dieter Manz, CEO and founder of Manz AG stated: "The new world record is an impressive result of efficient collaboration between the ZSW and Manz as an exclusive industry partner. With 21.7 per cent the ZSW has not only negated the last world record but far surpassed it.”

“This makes me very proud and is clear evidence that CIGS thin film technology demonstrates the highest potential by far for continued enhancement of the rate of efficiency.

“In the previous years, only thin film technology was putting out new world records - with a clear advantage for us in further developed CIGS technology. And we are far from having reached the end of the development."

With the world record the gap in comparison to multicrystalline technology now increases to 1.3 per cent, which further strengthens the attractiveness of CIGS technology: In the future, CIGS thin film solar modules are thereby not only more powerful than multicrystalline solar cells but also significantly cheaper to produce. CIGS technology will therefore assume an important role in the next photovoltaic investment cycle.

The record breaking cell was produced in a co-evaporation process, a technology which was further developed and patented by both Manz and ZSW.

The excellent reproducibility of the record process suggests good transferability of the technology in production technology for mass production. For this purpose Manz operates a CIGS innovation line at the Schwaebisch-Hall location where CIGS modules are manufactured in large quantities and knowledge from the laboratory is being transferred to mass production.

Manz continued: "CIGS technology is currently the superior solar technology in every respect and combines the best of about 40 years of German development history funded by the Federal Republic.”

“It is a triumph for politics, basic research and mechanical engineering: Whoever wishes to invest in photovoltaics today and make money doing so cannot pass up on CIGS technology. The close collaboration between research and industry was a key to success along Germany's path towards playing a leading role in this area.

“Particularly in large markets with regulations regarding local value creation like China, India or the Middle East, CIGS technology can make the most of its unique advantages. Due to the high level of integration, the production process is faster and considerably more affordable than any other solar technologies,” he added.

“The required materials can largely be procured on location. Because CIGS solar plants will make power generation more efficient and affordable worldwide, I am optimistic that CIGS thin film technology will gain significant market shares. As the only worldwide provider of a fully integrated production line for CIGS thin film modules, major opportunities for growth are opening up to us, which we want to take advantage of!" Manz concluded. – TradeArabia News Service