IEA: Solar power will account for more than 6% of global electricity in 2022

According to media reports, scientists from Uppsala University in Sweden and First Solar's European Technology Center have jointly developed a new copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell with an energy conversion efficiency of 23.64%, setting a new record for similar solar cells. According to data from the International Energy Agency, the deployment of solar cells is growing rapidly around the world, and in 2022, solar power generation will account for more than 6% of global electricity.

Among them, crystalline silicon is the most widely used material in solar cells. Currently, solar cells made of crystalline silicon can convert up to more than 22% of sunlight into electricity. This type of solar cell is low-cost and has relatively stable performance.

The latest CIGS solar cells consist of a glass sheet covered with several different layers, each with a specific function.

The material that absorbs sunlight is made of copper, indium, gallium and selenide, with silver and sodium added. The material is placed inside the solar cell, between metallic molybdenum and a transparent glass plate. To make the solar cell as efficient as possible in separating electrons, the research team treated the CIGS layer with rubidium fluoride.

It is reported that the previous world record for CIGS solar cell energy efficiency was 23.35%, created by Japan's Solar Frontier Corporation. Before that, the record was 22.9% set by the Baden-Württemberg Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Energy in Germany.

Zikuai Technology