Germany-based Manz AG, a leading high-tech engineering firm, said its copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film solar technology are less sensitive to dust, making the technology ideal for the Middle East’s desert climate.

The technology generates electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity.

The modules are also more receptive to longer wavelengths at wider acceptance angles, according to Mohamed Alammawi, vice-president of sales - Middle East and North Africa.

“When compared to thin film technology, crystalline silicon (cSi) needs many more production steps. The sustainable CIGS technology uses non-toxic materials, consumes very low energy in production, making energy pay back possible in shorter period as compared to nearly three years for cSi,” said Alammawi, speaking at the Intersolar Summit Middle East in Riyadh recently.

“Due to its characteristics and performance parameters, CIGS is the best available solution for building integration projects, which is set to become an integral part of solar power generation, particularly for large manufacturing units.”

Manz AG also showcased its CIGSfab, a fully integrated turnkey production line for producing CIGS thin-film solar modules. The module is based on the CIGS technology developed by the renowned Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW), which achieved a world record cell with an efficiency of 21.7 per cent in September. Manz has exclusive access to the technology from ZSW.

With Manz AG’s advanced technology, the production of CIGS modules can be done in one plant. For crystalline solar to be competitive, an investment of at least €1 billion is needed for the silicon (raw material) production alone, said the statement.

However, with the same investment, a CIGSfab unit could produce 10 million CIGS modules per year, using over 80 per cent of local content. Furthermore, a CIGSfab turnkey solution would need only a negligible construction time of approximately 12 months, it said.

Alammawi reaffirmed Manz’ commitment to supporting governments in the Mena region to achieve their ambitious growth targets for the expansion of solar energy driven by multiple reasons.

The primary factor is the significant increase in demand for electricity, which cannot be covered by oil/gas and is set to become too expensive, he said.

Governments are increasingly looking to secure water and food supply through the production of renewable energy for sustainable water desalination. Renewables also offer the opportunity to create a new sustainable economic sector with local production, local job creation, and the growth of gross domestic product (GDP), he added. - TradeArabia News Service