Sliver solar cells going into production this year
The State of Idaho is known for its potatoes. But now, it could be home to a production plant for the thinnest solar cells currently available. Boise Idaho announced last month that it was bringing a 10-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant to the region. Then, this week Transform Solar revealed that a thin film solar cell production plant will be manufacturing “Sliver” solar cells which will be ready for the market next year. The extremely thin solar cells will be used in panels for the new power plant.
According to the company’s website, Sliver solar cells are unique in that:
- Cells are less than 50 microns thick – the thinnest cells in standard sub-assemblies.
- Cells are perfectly bifacial – they can be spaced to capture light from both faces.
- Contacts are on the edge of each cell – there is virtually no loss of surface area due to contact placement.
