Abstract

As the most efficient thin film solar cells, Cu(InGa)Se₂ based solar cell has attracted extensive studies recently. In this paper we have briefly reviewed recent progress of CIGS solar cells both in the laboratory and in the industry. For the research status, we focused on recent progress in cell structure and material selection/preparation for different functional layers in the highly efficient CIGS solar cells. We also summarized the main achievements from several leading research groups in producing high efficiency CIGS solar cells and presented their efficiency records on different substrates (glass, stainless steel, Ti and polymer). For CIGS industrialization, we reviewed the main progress in several representative CIGS companies. We summarized the fabrication technology and characteristics, and the main achievements in the production capacity for many CIGS companies worldwide. We also reviewed the research progress of our group (CUHK and SIAT) on small size CIGS solar cells and mini-modules. We believe that the CIGS production capacity and actual production will increase very fast and play important role in photovoltaic industry in the near future.

© 2011 Optical Society of America