Global Solar Energy is the solar industry leader that manufactures highly-efficient thin film solar cells for glass module or flexible material products

Founded 1996, the Company’s proven, controlled and stable production process is delivering lightweight and portable photovoltaic (PV) materials for integration in commercial, residential, utility-scale and government applications. Among the most innovative areas to which Global Solar is contributing is the emerging building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) industry, where the Company’s lightweight, flexible, highly-efficient cells make them uniquely suited for a variety of products.

Global Solar is the only manufacturer in full-scale production of CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide) PV cells on a flexible substrate. The Company is dedicated to constantly improving the efficiency of its solar cells and overall manufacturing process. Global Solar achieved 10% average solar cell efficiency—the first CIGS company to reach this milestone in a production environment.

Global Solar deposits CIGS on flexible, stainless-steel substrate via a roll-to-roll process. The Company’s advanced machinery design decreases manufacturing costs by streamlining CIGS production, increasing throughput and improving material utilization.

Global Solar is currently managing two new manufacturing plants. The first plant, at the Company’s headquarters in Tucson, Arizona opened in March of 2008 has full production capacity of 40 megawatts (MW). The second plant, opened in Fall of 2008, has a production capacity of 35 MW. Together, this plants set industry records for CIGS production capacity.

In Tucson, Global Solar partnered with Solon to create a 750 kilowatt (kW) solar array, which helps to power Global Solar’s U.S. plant. Using Global Solar energy in the solar modules, the array is the largest CIGS solar field in the US.

Due to its highly efficient nature, and low cost of materials, CIGS has been called the wonder child, or market darling, of thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) materials business. Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets projects the CIGS PV market will grow from $403.1 million in 2011 to $2.6 billion in 2016. (Materials Markets for CIGS Photovoltaics, Jan. 2009)

By producing the highest volume of CIGS thin film, Global Solar’s lower cost is opening up new and alternative markets where solar hasn’t been a viable option, such as BIPV, helping to drive the solar market into the next level of innovation, adoption and affordability.