PTiP commissions pilot production plant for CIGS solar modules in South Africa

Photovoltaic Technology Intellectual Property (PTiP) has officially commissioned its pilot production plant for the manufacturing of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar modules in South Africa.

Singulus Technologies had supplied the engineering technology and support for the key production processes at the plant.

Located in the Techno Park near Stellenbosch, the plant will be used to carry out research and development works for the production of CIGS modules.

For the project, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) had served as a strategic shareholder and also provided financial support.

Additional financial support for the project was provided by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an initiative of Department of Science and Technology.

With the new CIGS pilot production plant, the development of solar modules can be improved in accordance with the demands of the African market, said the company.

PTiP CEO Vivian Alberts said the company received support from the South African government in the construction of new CIGS pilot production plant.

"The immediate goal is to set-up a commercially viable production plant for CIGS thin-film modules in South Africa in order to supply products with high local content to existing and future PV projects in South Africa," Alberts added.

"The European Investment Bank already announced its support for the establishment of a PTiP production plant and the mass production of PV modules."

Singulus CEO Stefan Rinck said the company delivered four key process steps, including vacuum coating, the selenization as well as two work steps in the wet-chemical area, for a CIGS pilot production plant.

"With our partner PTiP, we intend to continue to successfully implement the additional expansion stages as well," added Rinck.