SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stion, a manufacturer of high efficiency thin-film solar modules, today announced that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has verified 14.1% efficiency for its production-scale (65 cm x 165 cm) thin-film circuits. This is the highest efficiency ever demonstrated for a monolithically integrated thin-film circuit at production scale.
“Exceeding 14% efficiency at production scale represents a significant advancement for CIGS-based thin-film technologies,” said Chet Farris, Stion’s President and CEO. “Manufacturing high-efficiency, large-area CIGS modules with an inherently low cost structure and repeatable, scalable process is critical to driving the fundamental product economics.”
Stion received its UL 1703 and IEC 61646 product certifications in January and is currently shipping products manufactured at its San Jose, CA headquarters. Stion will open its first mass production facility in Hattiesburg, MS later this year with a first phase of 100 MW.
“This is a truly outstanding result and we congratulate Stion on its tremendous progress,” said Rommel Noufi, the lead researcher for thin-film solar cells at NREL. “Achieving 14.1% efficiency over a large area is indicative of the exceptional process control and uniformity delivered by Stion’s technology, and also speaks to the continued improvement potential for CIGS-based technologies to meet the DOE SunShot goal of price parity by the end of this decade.”
Stion’s unique approach to CIGS leverages proprietary materials and device expertise along with a robust, high-volume manufacturing process based on readily available, standardized equipment. Utilizing a monolithically integrated circuit design instead of assembling individual cells into a module enables a lower bill of materials and more streamlined manufacturing process.
About Stion:
Stion is a US-based manufacturer of high-efficiency thin-film solar modules based on state-of-the-art materials and device technology and proven production processes. Stion was founded in 2006 and is backed by leading venture capital investors, including Khosla Ventures, VentureTech Alliance, Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst Partners, and Braemar Energy Ventures. Stion also has a strategic partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor, the world’s largest dedicated semiconductor foundry. For more information, visit www.stion.com.