Fabrication, Issues Involved And Long Term Durability Of Cigs Thin Film Pv Modules: A Review

Small area copper-indium-gallium-selenide-sulfide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells have achieved highest (20.3%) efficiency amongst thin-film technologies. With advancing research involving academia and industry, 80% of highest small area efficiency (\u3e16%) would be achieved on high volume production CIGS PV modules in recent future. Currently, CIGS PV systems have highest installed cost because of time-consuming process, high equipment capital cost and lower material utilization. For CIGS thin film PV module to be successful it is essential that long term reliability of modules is verified and that PV module manufacturers are able to provide a 30 year useful lifetime guarantee. Along with acceleration testing, it is necessary to carry out long term performance analysis of field deployed modules and specially designed field tests. This paper reviews various fabrication issues and various field tests that can be employed to achieve CIGS PV modules capable of providing grid parity without subsidy. Copyright © (2012) by American Solar Energy Society