19 June 2013

TSMC Solar’s commercial-sized CIGS modules raise efficiency record for monolithic thin-film PVs to 15.7%

TSMC Solar Ltd, which was founded in May 2009 as a subsidiary of the world’s biggest silicon wafer foundry Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Inc (TSMC), says TUV SUD has confirmed that its latest commercial-sized (1.09m2) CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) champion module has achieved 15.7% module total area efficiency.

The new champion module improves on TSMC Solar’s previous 15.1% world record for monolithic thin-film module efficiency, set in January. The module was produced using the current manufacturing equipment and materials at the firm’s manufacturing facility in Taichung, Taiwan.

Picture: TSMC Solar’s S-Fab production line.

“Our new champion module not only pushed our efficiency record up by 0.6% points in just 4 months, but also achieved a record temperature coefficient of -0.26%/degree Celsius, showing our continued ability to improve our process technology,” says TSMC Solar’s president Ying-Chen Chao.

TSMC Solar has also announced the introduction of its new TS-CIGS Series Model C1 module, with nameplate power spanning 140-155W. The UL- and TUV SUD-certified module has an improved temperature coefficient of -0.31%/degree Celsius and has passed both the Blowing Sand Test based on IEC 60068-2-68 and the Salt Mist Ed.2 test.

“Our Model C1 modules deliver improved energy yield and reliability in high-temperature and desert environments and prove our ability to bring record-setting process improvements to market,” comments Stephen McKenery, TSMC Solar’s worldwide sales head.

Tags: TSMC Solar CIGS

Visit: www.tsmc-solar.com