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Ascent Solar Technologies, the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacture of featherweight, flexible, and durable CIGS thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, announced that the latest test results of the Company’s proprietary CIGS technology show an in efficiency increase from 15.5% to 17.55%, a milestone achievement.
In August 2023, the Ascent team began working diligently to optimize both the manufacturing processes and chemistry of its CIGS technology. This has resulted in a steady increase in efficiency that began with a jump from 10.8% to 15.2% on September 5; an additional increase to 15.5% on September 12; and now this significant increase to 17.55% just six weeks later.
The latest efficiency increase can be attributed to the addition of rubidium fluoride to the chemistry, combined with improvements to Ascent’s manufacturing process. The improvements will result in an increase in specific power in the space environment from 1900 W/kg to 2100 W/kg at AM0. This enables the solar energy system to provide additional power with the same flexible, resilient and lightweight footprint.
Ascent plans to further improve its CIGS technology efficiency through incorporation of Zn(O,S), a thin film that is considered a most promising candidate for a cadmium-free buffer layer, as well as broader chemistry optimization. Utilizing Zn(O,S) increases efficiency and specific power as it expands interactions with light in the blue spectrum, as well as helps counter degradation through improvements after light soak.
“We have now reached the minimum efficiency (17%) that many satellite companies require, a milestone achievement for our team and a critical step toward commercialization for our space product development program,” said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies. “We are well positioned for adoption as one of the most flexible, light and suitable solar solution to reduce waste in space.”
Click here to learn more about Ascent Technologies.
