Roadmap for manufacturing cost competitive CIGS modules

Using a sophisticated financial model and engineering data collected on the pilot line for its unique `Ink Based' process, ISET has developed a roadmap for low-cost manufacturing of thin film CIGS modules. Starting with a 50 MW/yr turn-key line, the projected cost of production is $0.75 per watt. Improving process yield from 85% to 92.5%, improving module efficiencies from 12% to 14%, and increasing the production capacity from 50 to 300 MW/yr, the projected cost of production is lowered to $0.44 per watt. By improving module efficiency from 14% to 15%, vertically integrating a glass factory, and expanding the production capacity to nominally 1000 MW/yr, the model predicts that the projected cost of production of CIGS modules will drop to $0.34 per watt.