Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd. and IBM are collaborating to jointly develop CIGS (Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide) solar cell modules. This effort may bring down the cost of solar energy cells through the use of thin film technology, such as CIGS. The joint effort between the two companies comes at a time when the solar-energy industry is in the midst of a battle over which material — silicon or CIGS — will become dominant in the future for collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity. Solar panels made from crystalline silicon currently account for more than 90 percent of the solar infrastructure today. Unfortunately, silicon panels remain relatively expensive to make and install.
CIGS technology uses thin-film solar cell technology. Thin film CIGS solar energy cells are much lighter and thinner than silicon panels. Thin-film solar cells also have the advantage that they could be arranged on a flexible backing, suitable for the tops and sides of buildings, tinted windows, and other surfaces. According to experts, CIGS can be sprayed onto foil, plastic or glass or incorporated into cement and other building materials. If all goes as planned, an entire exterior of a house or building could become one large solar generator. Let’s all hope and pray for the success of this joint project between the Japanese and American companies.
Posted by: Attorney Sanders
Categories:
Alternative energy