Honda to mass-produce thin film solar cell
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its plan to
begin mass production in 2007 of an independently developed thin film solar cell
composed of non-silicon compound materials, which requires 50% less energy, and
thus generate 50% less CO2, during production compared to a conventional solar
cell.
Honda - Darwin to Adelaide winner
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its plan to begin mass production in 2007 of an independently developed thin film solar cell composed of non-silicon compound materials, which requires 50% less energy, and thus generate 50% less CO2, during production compared to a conventional solar cell. A mass production plant with annual capacity of 27.5 megawatts will be established at Honda’s Kumamoto factory.
Honda will produce and sell solar panels in a limited area, starting from next autumn, using an assembly line within Honda Engineering Co., Ltd.
By using thin film made from a compound of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), Honda’s next-generation solar cell achieved a major reduction in energy consumed during the manufacturing process to approximately 50% of that required by conventional crystal silicon solar cells. Honda claims further that this solar cell has achieved the highest level of photoelectric transfer efficiency to date for a thin film solar cell, almost equivalent to the conventional crystal silicon solar cell.
Ain’t nothing wrong with diversifying into future technologies. Frankly, it’s a positive step when a global corporation decides it can profit from green engineering.
Posted: Tue - December 20, 2005 at 12:20 PM