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process. The heart of POET is a unique and patented Group III-V materials system that supports monolithic fabrication of ICs containing active and passive optical elements, together with high- performance analog and digital elements. The firm says that for the first time an economical integration of many optical devices together with dense, high- speed analog and high-speed, low-power digital elements are possible in monolithic ICs.
POET allows ODIS to fundamentally alter the landscape for a broad range of applications by offering components with dramatically lowered cost together with increased speed, density, and reliability.
ODIS Is a Delaware Corporation headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut with offices in Rhode Island and its Research and Development facilities located on the campus of the University of Connecticut. ODIS designs communications transceivers, optoelectronic integrated platforms and infrared sensor type products for military, consumer and industrial applications.
A leader in gallium arsenide III-V compound structures, the Company has been awarded 32 patents and has 18 more patents pending.
Sulfurcell Unveils its first 0.8m² CIGS Prototype with Efficiency of 10.7%
The 1.25m x 0.65 m module was independently tested by TÜV Rheinland and had an efficiency of 10.7 % and a peak output of 86.8 watts.
At this year’s EU PVSEC, Sulfurcell Solartechnik will be unveiling the prototypes for its new product line: 1.25m x 0.65 m modules with a considerably increased efficiency of 10.7 % and a peak output of 86.8 watts.
TÜV Rheinland, the German technical inspection agency, has confirmed the results. In developing the powerful modules, Sulfurcell is relying on a reconfigured semiconductor layer: for the first time the company is producing thin-film modules based on CIGS semiconductors.
The ‘CIGS’or ‘CIGSe’ abbreviation stands for the elements Copper, Indium, Gallium and Selenium. In contrast to the first production line, Sulfurcell is using selenium instead of sulfur in its new high-performance modules. The company will be converting part of its production to CIGSe in 2011 and will then market the premium product on a megawatt scale.
After an intensive development phase lasting just four months, Sulfurcell succeeded in July this year in producing the first prototypes of large-format CIGSe solar modules with efficiencies greater than 10%.
This represents a milestone for the highly specialist experts in Sulfurcell’s research department, since only very few manufacturers of thin-film solar modules are currently capable of producing high quality modules with efficiencies in double figures. “The development success confirms our strategy of continually furthering Sulfurcell’s proven technology. It was possible because we were able to build on the experience gained from five years of producing and marketing CIS modules.
The high module efficiency demonstrates that we will also be able to compete in the very top league of thin-film specialists in future,” enthuses Nikolaus Meyer, CEO and founder of Sulfurcell.
CIGS technology holds huge potential Scientists have already been able to produce CIGSe solar cells with efficiencies greater than 20% under laboratory conditions. In order to exploit this potential, Sulfurcell’s CIGSe process deploys co- evaporation techniques. The manner in which these are utilized to manufacture the record-breaking cells depends, however, on proprietary design and components.
A major advantage of this process is that the CIGSe layer properties can be precisely configured, which enables the material’s potential to be exploited to the full. The company’s medium term technology roadmap is clearly defined: Sulfurcell is already aiming to surpass the 11% threshold in 2011 and the 12% threshold in 2012. Module efficiencies exceeding 14% are realistic by 2015.
Success through strong partners “This resounding research success is due not only to our highly specialist production processes and
October 2010
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