3M showcased a flexible CIGS on plastic PV product at this year’s Solar Power International show. We interviewed Ellen from 3M about this exciting new product. The product is not yet on the market. 3M is currently working with Solar Power and numerous other cigs manufacturers to produce total encapsulating packages to enable flexible cigs photovoltaics. 3M is currently focused on the flexible front-side barrier, which the company says has been a challenging aspect. The barrier has to be optically clear, weatherable, and have a low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). The product is made from a floor polymer, so that the products are very weatherable and scratch resistant. In terms of installation cost, it can be easily integrated into other building materials to lower labor cost. Why CIGS as opposed to another thin-film technology? CIGS tends to have higher efficiencies, usually 10% and above. Although the product is not yet on the market, 3M is giving out prototype samples. Contact the company if you are interested. company profile: buildaroo.com
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