First generation solar cells are made of silicon wafers. This type of solar cell is the most widely used and manufactured in the world; they also have the highest reported single cell efficiencies. Silicon solar cells are expensive to produce, so research led the next generation of solar cells away from silicon.

Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS)

CIGS-based thin-film solar panels represent a high-efficiency alternative for large-scale, commercial first generation solar panels. CIGS is a versatile material that can be fabricated by multiple processes and implemented in different form factors. For example, CIGS can be deposited on substrates such as glass, metal foils, and polymers. Metal foils and polymers allow for applications that require lighter-weight or flexible modules.

Perovskite

Perovskite materials offer excellent light absorption, charge-carrier mobilities, and lifetimes, resulting in high device efficiencies with opportunities to realize a low-cost, industry scalable technology.  

Fuel Cell

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices capable of directly capturing, in electrical form, the major portion of the chemical energy from the reaction where hydrogen and oxygen (taken from the surrounding air) form water. This is achieved by dividing the reaction in two different reaction chambers connected via a proton stream over a proton conducting membrane and an electrical circuit where most of the energy released in the reactions is used to drive different types of electrical equipment. The reaction energy which is not converted into electricity by the fuel cell is transferred to a liquid cooling media where it can be used for heating purposes potentially resulting in very high total efficiencies.

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery (LFP)

LFP battery uses iron as the cathode material, and they have a number of advantages over their lithium-ion counterparts. In solar applications, where batteries are often housed in residences or in close proximity to highly occupied office buildings, safety is an extremely important factor to consider. The deep discharge capacity of LFP batteries protects them from damage due to depleting the energy in the battery. LFP batteries are ideal for solar setups, because multiple batteries can be connected to increase storage capacity.