// Novel solutions for the industrial encapsulation of flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaic modules with long-term stability (DURACIS)

For a competitive market rollout of flexible photovoltaic technologies based on thin-film CIGS, innovative encapsulation technologies with cost-effective and excellent barrier qualities with long-term stability are necessary. In spite of good existing solutions, there is still a strong demand for cost reduction. In order to meet these challenges, DURACIS will examine alternative encapsulation materials as well as optically suitable adhesives and concepts which qualify for the integration in existing industrial CIGS pilot lines. They should ensure a long lifespan while at the same time enabling a strong cost reduction.

To achieve this, the project means to explore concepts which have already been developed for organic technologies which, as is commonly known, have very high demands on encapsulation. The aim is to develop a new encapsulation technology with costs below 15 €/m² which guarantee a long-term stability of flexible CIGS generators of more than 25 years.

The project goals include finding a solution for the most important industrial technologies on polyimide and steel while also analysing their transferability to the industrial pilot lines run by members of the consortium. The effects the different substrates have on the new encapsulation concepts are examined with the goal to develop cost-effective and stable solutions. Furthermore, methods for a non-destructive monitoring of the encapsulation processes and of the layer deposition processes will be developed. ZSW has its focus on developing and supplying new, monolithically integrated modules on electrically insulated steel foil with a size up to 10 x 10 cm² and on conducting stability tests on encapsulated modules.