Global Solar introduces a thin film alternative

Today at Intersolar 2008 in Munich, Global Solar Energy said it introduced an innovative thin film product for Building Integrated Photovoltaic, or BIPV, manufacturers.

The Tucson, Arizona-based company claims its PowerFlex Solar Strings will simplify and speed the process of incorporating thin film technology for the BIPV manufacturing process.

With its new product, Global Solar said it is making it easier and less expensive for solar panel and module manufacturers to enter the thin film market.

Due to the nature of the flexible, stringed thin film product, silicon-based product and module manufacturers can inexpensively and efficiently "drop-in" the new product on their current manufacturing process and quickly enter the thin film market without extensive overhead, said Global Solar.

Global Solar said it will manufacture its PowerFlex Solar Strings with its "roll-to-roll" process, which it says is more cost-effective than traditional in-line manufacturing approaches.

In addition, the company said the pre-connected nature of the product to the CIGS cells also add to the low cost, high efficiency attributes of the product.

Since thin film PV does not rely heavily on silicon, an expensive and increasingly rare material, the thin film race is heating up.

Companies such as First Solar, Nanosolar, Ascent, Sharp Solar and Miasole are all in the race to produce the most efficient, cost effective thin film solar cells.

In January, Global Solar, a company that entered the thin film market four years ago, announced its CIGS cells — which are not dependent on silicon — reached a solar cell efficiency rate of 10 percent (see Global Solar claims 10 percent efficiency for thin-film).

Founded in 1996, the company began introducing its thin film PV cells to consumer applications and brands such as Coleman Outdoor Products, solar-powered jackets and personal electronic equipment chargers.

The company first introduced its PowerFlex material — the material that is being used in the solar string product — in March at WIREC 2008.

The company said this material can be built directly into commercial, residential and government products.