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How can flexible CIGS solar cells be used in buildings and vehicles?

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Diagram of a solar cell showing labeled layers, including a front electrical contact grid, antireflection layer, absorber layer, back junction layer, and back electrical contact layer, with arrows indicating light entering and terminals connecting to a circuit. — solar cell A commonly used solar cell structure. In many such cells, the absorber layer and the back junction layer are both made of the same material.

Flexible CIGS solar cells are thin-film photovoltaic devices that offer significant advantages for integration into buildings and vehicles due to their lightweight, shatter-resistant, and low-profile nature.1

Applications in Buildings

Flexible CIGS cells are utilized in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), where they serve as functional structural components while generating electricity.2
* Roofing: They can be used as flexible thin-film layers on flat roofs, replacing traditional materials like bitumen or rubber.2
* Design Flexibility: Because they do not require glass, they provide architects with greater freedom in styling and design, allowing for installation on curved surfaces where rigid panels are unsuitable.13

Applications in Vehicles

The low profile and minimal weight of flexible CIGS cells make them ideal for mobile applications.1
* Integration: They can be integrated into the surfaces of vehicles such as cars, tractor-trailers, and airplanes.1
* Efficiency: Their thin-film design minimizes air resistance, ensuring that the addition of solar power generation does not negatively impact the vehicle's aerodynamics or add significant weight.1