Showa Shell Solar Unveils 2nd-gen

CIGS PV Panel

Showa Shell Solar Co Ltd exhibited its second-generation CIGS (CuIn-GaSe) photovoltaic (PV) panel at PV EXPO 2010, a trade show that took place from March 3 to 5, 2010, in Tokyo, Japan.

The PV panel was developed with a technology that will be introduced to the company’s third plant being built in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. And Showa Shell Solar showcased it under the name “Solar Frontier,” to which the company will change its name to, April 1, 2010. The new panel measures 977 x 1,255mm.

“We use a new technology to realize a conversion efficiency of 16% with a cell measuring 30 x 30cm,” the company said. “Panels made by using this technology will have a module conversion efficiency of 12.2% in 2011 and 13.0% in 2014 because of improvement in optical designs.

Showa Shell Solar is planning to build the fourth-generation plant though it has not yet decided any specific date or place. At the plant, the company will use its third-generation technology that realizes a cell conversion efficiency of 17% at the aperture area and a module conversion efficiency of 14.0%.

Sourced and published by Henry Sapiecha 16th March 2010

Posted on March 16th, 2010 by Editor
Filed under: ENERGY STORAGE, SOLAR