Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd. (TOK) and IBM are teaming up to cut the cost of solar energy. Current solar cell systems rely largely on silicon for converting sunshine to energy and are less efficient and more expensive than other energy sources. IBM and TOK will focus on making CIGS (Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide) solar cell modules, an alternative to silicon.
Thin-film CIGS solar cells can be 100 times thinner than silicon-wafer cells. And because they can be deposited on cheap glass substrates, they cost less. They could also be arranged on a flexible backing, suitable for the tops and sides of buildings, tinted windows and other surfaces.
"Our goal is to develop more efficient photovoltaic structures that would reduce the cost, minimize the complexity, and improve the flexibility of producing solar electric power," said Dr. Tze-Chiang Chen, IBM Vice President of Science and Technology, IBM Research. "Now, IBM's advanced technology combined with TOK's expertise in equipment design and manufacture, have the potential to broaden the use of alternative energy sources."
TOK is a supplier of photoresists for semiconductors, flat panel displays, printed wiring boards and packaging. The company also supplies other photolithography materials, processing equipment for semiconductor and LCD manufacturing, printing materials and inorganic/ organic high purity chemicals.
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IBM and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Turn up Watts on Solar Energy Production (press release)