The recent study by Swerea IVF, a leading Swedish industrial research institute, shows conclusively that Midsummer’s flexible thin film solar cells have much lower CO2 emission equivalents than almost all other renewable energy sources. Compared with the production of silicon solar modules, Midsummer’s rapid sputtering production process for thin film solar modules can result in a global warming potential (GWP) of merely 1/10 of the silicon modules.
Solar energy’s carbon footprint increasingly important
“As solar energy installations spread globally, there will be an increased focus on its carbon footprint and energy payback,” said Sven Lindström, CEO, Midsummer. “To manufacture energy demanding silicon panels, glass and aluminium frames with dirty coal power is not environmentally friendly. PV suppliers will be increasingly judged on the climate effect of their production processes. Here, Midsummer has a clear advantage with its extremely small carbon footprint. Our manufacturing process is very energy efficient and we don’t use silicon, glass or frames.”
Another reason for the low carbon footprint is the extremely thin light absorbing CIGS layer. Midsummer uses less than 1um (one micrometer, 0.001 mm) of CIGS materials in its production process and this enables not only a fast production process, but also low energy consumption.
The objective of Swerea IVF’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study was to understand the environmental impact of Midsummer’s production method for flexible CIGS solar module in a life cycle perspective. The results showed much lower CO2 emission compared not only with similar modules made of silicon but also with other thin film technologies.
Midsummer´s flexible CIGS solar modules do not consist of any glass or aluminium materials, reducing material consumption significantly.
The study has been reviewed and approved by a Swedish independent third-party institute; Miljögiraff AB.
Midsummer is a leading developer and supplier of advanced solar energy solutions for the production and installation of thin film solar cells and also a leading Swedish growth and export company. The unique DUO system has taken the position as the most widely distributed manufacturing tool for flexible CIGS solar cells in the world.
