Thin film materials can be one-tenth the cost of silicon and in theory could be more efficient. Among thin-film approaches, one of the most promising uses a selenized copper/indium/gallium alloy (CIG). According to NREL, efforts utilizing this CIG alloy compound have been able to demonstrate efficiency levels in small cells that could translate to $1-$5 per installed peak watt. However, current production methods using micron sized particles, or sputtering, have not demonstrated the required uniformity and yield levels for mass quantities. QSI-Nano® metals and alloys can help resolve these challenges. QSI’s nanoscale version of the alloy – dispersed into a paste and offered as a turn-key solution to the solar industry – could potentially enable cost levels to fall well below $3/Wp in full-sized panels and ultimately get below $1/Wp going forward with economies of scale. The small uniform size and high surface energy of QSI’s nanomaterials could help enable ultra-thin and highly uniform films that directly lead to greater manufacturability and increased efficiencies.
QSI’s patented gas phase condensation process (GPC) is capable of producing high purity, narrow distribution nanoscale CIG alloy material in the quantities necessary to support large-scale manufacturing of thin film solar cells. University-based research is currently underway to demonstrate the alloy’s performance, and preliminary results are extremely positive. Once this validation is complete, QSI’s CIG alloy will have the potential to revolutionize solar cell manufacturing by enabling lower production costs and dramatically increased performance, thus finally making thin film solar cells the true energy choice for consumers globally.