World’s Largest CIGS Thin-Film Solar Array Goes Live
On occasion, we will write headlines praising developments in things like the ‘the world’s first tidal power turbine‘ or ‘the world’s largest offshore wind farm.’ To set the record straight, we don’t do this only for the purposes of sensationalist self-aggrandizement, we also do it because there are really some exciting developments in the fast-moving world of cleantech; such language is normally apropos.
Global Solar Energy announced Wednesday the full operation of the largest solar electric array worldwide using CIGS photovoltaic technology. CIGS, or copper indium gallium diselenide thin-film solar cells are not dependent on silicon and instead use highly-available raw materials that are easily integrated into a wide range of applications.
The 750-kilowatt system, located at Global Solar Energy’s Tucson, Arizona, manufacturing facility, features a ground-mounted solar array consisting of 6,600 thin-film solar cells generating more than 1.1 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually. Owned, operated, and financed by MMA Renewable Ventures, the plants power will be sold to Global Solar under the terms of a long-term commercial financing agreement.
Thin-film solar tends to be less efficient with a shorter lifespan. But where thin-film lacks in longevity and efficiency it excels in price per watt. Offering cost and manufacturing advantages, CIGS thin-film is poised to become a leading solar technology.
Needless to say, officials from the partnering companies were pretty jazzed about the project—and rightfully so. “This new solar system solidifies the vitality and longevity of CIGS technology in the thin-film space,” said Mike Gering, president and CEO of Global Solar.
The array will provide about 25% of the manufacturing facility’s electricity needs, offsetting 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide over its expected 25-year lifetime.
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Images courtesy of MMA Renewable Ventures
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December 4th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Now that we know how much this set up is going to
produce electrity yearly it would be interesting to
know how much did it cost to set it up?
December 4th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Vicki, my bad. I edited out the location of the plant, which is Tucscon, Arizona. Thanks.
December 4th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
So let me get this straight, the array only powers 25% of the manufacturing facility and from the pictures is appears to be about 4 times the size of the building? That’s pretty poor efficiently! Also why did they not place panels on the roof of the building which would have saved some land for more arrays on the ground. Also the parking lot could have used shade covers over the cars which would have provided more surface area. Not a very efficient use of land…
December 5th, 2008 at 4:58 am
How exciting! I think we should cut down every forest in North America and install these panels. If we did that we could supply maybe 10% of the nations electricity needs. That’s like a couple tons of co2! I mean seriously, trees are like so overrated compared to renewable energy.
December 6th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
When reading this article do not get confused that this is the largest solar PV installation in the world, it is only the largest of a particular PV cell type. In general solar PV 750KW is peanuts.
Nowadays there are many solar PV parks with more than 20MW capacity. Spain and Germany are the leaders in this field. For a list see e.g.:
http://www.pvresources.com/en/top50pv.php
December 10th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
[...] Good. John McCain Good! [...]
January 31st, 2009 at 12:47 pm
That’s it? Only 25%? That kinda bites the big one. Yeah.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:48 am
This little lower power plant will chug out power until the last cell in the array dies! nobody really knows for absolute certain how long that is, but we are fairly certain of a payback then a profit period – without ever needing re-fueling, just maintenance, and depending on the quality of manufacture in the first place that could be a long time away! Just think! no coal burning, no imported oil used, no dangerous radioactive waste produced, and little if any upkeep! Somebody is going to make a lot money, and soon! Will governments tax this windfall? Will local politicians make a grab for dough? Will corruption eat away at profits? Who knows! This is America! but in the end the over-all gains are quite apparent for all!