Solar Frontier, a subsidiary of Showa Shell Sekiyu (5002.T), announced Tuesday that it will supply GE with CIS (copper, indium, and selenium) thin-film solar modules as part of GE’s globally marketed portfolio of solar energy solutions.
The company will provide GE-branded panels for use in utility-scale projects. In return, GE will provide its power plant expertise to enhance the development of Solar Frontier’s CIS technology for use in utility-scale solar installations.
“By teaming up with a billion-dollar global industry leader, Solar Frontier demonstrates that the solar market has matured to support large-scale players,” said Shigeaki Kameda, President and CEO, Solar Frontier. “GE’s selection of Solar Frontier’s thin film technology establishes our leadership in bringing bankable, reliable and ecological solar technology to the global market.”
Kameda said Solar Frontier will have gigawatt-scale production online by next year.
The modules will be manufactured at Solar Frontier’s automated production plant in Miyazaki, Japan. The facility is expected to be the world’s largest PV factory when the third phase of production comes online next year.
Like all thin-film solar companies, Solar Frontier uses fewer natural resources and raw materials than competing crystalline-silicon processes. In addition, Solar Frontier uses no cadmium–a highly toxic material generally used in CIGS thin-film solar panels.
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