TSMC Solar, the solar subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), has announced that by using in-house equipment, the firm's monolithic CIGS solar modules have achieved a conversion efficiency of 15.1%. According to TSMC Solar, the modules have obtained certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and TUV SUD. In addition, TSMC Solar's CIGS solar modules have began mass production, but due to fluctuations in the solar market, the firm plans to focus on improving technology, not on expanding capacity.
Solar makers noted that thin-film solar products have been marginalized because mainstream mono- and multi-crystalline solar products have been in oversupply for the past two years causing severe price drops. In addition, demand for rooftop solar PV systems is rising in Europe, this means customers want higher conversion efficiency from a limited surface area. This is unfavorable for thin-film solar products because compared to mono- or multi-crystalline solar products with the same surface area, thin-film solar products have relatively lower conversion efficiency.
According to Ying-Chen Chao, president of TSMC Solar, the competitive advantage of CIGS technology is that there is still room to achieve higher conversion efficiency. In addition, Chao stated, thin-film solar products can withstand high temperatures and have low production costs.
