Flexible Cell vs. Polysilicon
Flexible Cell |
Polysilicon |
Flexible
|
Rigid
|
Lightweight
|
Heavy
|
Durable
|
Breakable
|
Bonded Directly to Surface
|
Requires Mounting Hardware
|
Thin —2mm – 3mm
|
Thick —40mm – 50mm
|
Aesthetically Pleasing
|
Clunky-looking
|
Powerful
|
Not as powerful
|
Safer
|
Dangerous in environmental emergencies
|
FLEX-02 Product Comparison
MiaSolé FLEX Module | CdTe | Poly Si | |
Efficiency | 16.5%* | 15% | 16% |
BOS costs ($/watt) | $0.64† | $0.94† | $0.95 |
Weight (kg/m²) | 2.5 | 16.67 | 11.36 |
Thickness (mm) | 2.5 | 6.4 | 35 |
Flexible? | Yes | No | No |
Unbreakable | Yes | No | No |
* Aperture efficiency
†The BOS costs are based on a typical US installation
MiaSolé second-generation CIGS thin film, already in mass production, provides unparalleled thin-film cell efficiency at 16-17% and rising. MiaSolé solar cells produce the world’s most lightweight UL certified solar module package. Weighing in at a mere 0.7 lb / sqft, comprised of the most advanced PV laminate materials available and with a 25-year power warranty, they stand alone in a crowded field of heavy and brittle competitors.
MiaSolé begins with high-grade stainless steel foil and a physical vapor deposition processes to produce the most controlled, stable, and powerful flexible stainless steel CIGS cell in the world. After the cell structure is deposited on the foil, special transparent conductive oxides are applied and then a very specialized plastic-cell interconnect mesh-wire system is laminated to the cell, which is in turn protected by special solar barrier plastics. The transparent solar barrier is key to the longevity and high efficiency of the MiaSolé FLEX module series. The special plastic backsheet has an internal aluminum film to prevent all water transmission or other contaminates from eroding the powerful stainless steel CIGS cells.
In the end our technology enables the world’s only real solution for lightweight, thin, certified, and highly powerful solar for many applications.