ABSTRACT
The first thin-film CIS solar cell was made by Lawrence Kazmerski in 1976 by evaporating copper-indium-selenium (CuInSe2) material (CIS). It resulted in a 4% efficient solar cell. Boeing Corporation’s research laboratory in 1980 achieved better efficiency and Arco Solar in 1987 started to make CIS modules in production. Subsequently, Arco Solar was sold to Siemens and after that to Shell, which continued its production.It was found that the compound CIGS is more desirable for the production of thin-film solar cells than CIS and most of the production is now utilizing this compound. In the thin-film group, the CIGS technology has demonstrated the highest efficiency rating, high stability in (kW) output, little or no degradation, and excellent performance in low-light conditions.CIGS modules do not degrade in efficiency over time like a-Si, but in fact CIGS efficiency increases in the first few days of “sun soaking.” They generate consistent (kW) output regardless of long periods of exposure to sunlight. Efficiency-wise, CIGS could achieve in mass production 18-20%. It is one of the best thin-film PV systems available.At some point (around 2011), about 50 manufacturers were listed263 to produce CIS or CIGS solar modules. Because of the big market erosion in 2012, many of these companies were either closed or sold. There are probably 10 manufacturers left. The largest of these is Japanese Solar Frontier, which is a subsidiary of Showa Shell Sekiyu. This manufacturer’s production capacity in 2013 was over 500 MWp CIGS modules/year.
