CIGS Partnership Announced
Phoenix Solar AG has signed a framework agreement with MiaSolé, a leading manufacturer of copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) thin film photovoltaic solar panels based in Santa Clara, California. The agreement, which runs until 2013, enables Phoenix Solar to extend its product portfolio with another quality supplier capable of highly cost-efficient manufacturing. In the context of this agreement, Phoenix Solar has placed an order for an initial 4.5 megawatts of thin film modules from MiaSolé for delivery in the second quarter of 2010.
MiaSolé's innovative production process applies different layers of copper, indium, gallium and selenium on a metal foil. This substrate is divided into cell-like sections and laminated between two hardened glass plates. The frameless glass-glass module can be used for roofs as well as for ground-mounted systems and can withstand high wind and snow loads. The innovative production process allows for almost all module shapes to be manufactured, which increases the potential for saving costs on the balance of systems equipment.
In the laboratory CIGS technology has already achieved the highest conversion efficiency amongst all commercial thin film technologies. The current conversion efficiency of the MiaSolé module is 10.5 percent, with higher efficiency product to be shipped at the end of 2010. The framework agreement also includes a recycling warranty where required by regulation or financing: At the end of the lifetime of the solar modules the customer has the option of having them taken away by MiaSolé and recycled or reconditioned.
"Phoenix Solar has always sought to lead the field in innovations in all aspects of system integration from the module, through balance of system to operation & maintenance services. We welcome MiaSolé to our group of strategic suppliers with whom we work closely to extract maximum synergy effects as a means of continuously driving down system costs", said Manfred Bächler, Chief Technology Officer at Phoenix Solar AG.
"We are excited to enter a long-term customer relationship with a leading global solar player like Phoenix Solar," said MiaSolé President and CEO Joseph Laia. "MiaSolé's products are among the most efficient, affordable and reliable products available today, and we're pleased that we been selected for this multi-year agreement."
