Description
Solopower CIGS Flexible Solar Cell 1.25W Stainless Steel 0.45V 2A+ Lot of 100
This is a lot of 100 Solopower thin-film CIGS solar cells deposited on a lightweight stainless steel substrate. These are raw, uncoated production cells — not finished panels — and must be encapsulated before use in any outdoor or weather-exposed application. We tested these cells and found they produce approximately 0.45 volts at over 2 amps in full sun; note that Solopower did not publish official per-cell specifications for these production substrates. The cells are extremely thin and highly flexible, bending without cracking, which makes them suitable for curved, lightweight, and non-rigid DIY solar applications.
Specifications & What's Included
- Manufacturer: Solopower (San Jose / Portland, Oregon)
- Cell technology: CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) thin-film
- Substrate: Lightweight stainless steel — flexible and malleable
- Rated power per cell: 1.25 Watts
- Tested open-circuit voltage: approx. 0.45V in full sun
- Tested short-circuit current: over 2 amps in full sun
- Cell length: 190.5 mm (7.5 inches)
- Cell width: 95.25 mm (3.75 inches)
- Cell thickness: 0.253 mm (0.01 inches)
- Encapsulation: None — raw/uncoated cells; encapsulation required for outdoor use
- Quantity: 100 cells per lot
- Country of manufacture: United States
Applications
CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) is a thin-film photovoltaic technology known for its high absorption coefficient and ability to be deposited on flexible substrates. Unlike rigid crystalline silicon cells, CIGS cells on a stainless steel foil substrate can be bent, rolled, and formed around curved surfaces — making them well-suited for DIY flexible solar arrays, wearable power projects, portable charging applications, and R&D or university research into thin-film photovoltaics. Solopower was one of the few companies to commercially produce stainless steel-backed CIGS cells at scale, operating facilities in San Jose and Portland, Oregon before ceasing operations. These cells represent some of the last production stock from that facility and were never sold commercially as individual cells — they were manufactured as substrates for panel lamination. For hobbyists, researchers, and engineers working with flexible solar technology, this lot offers a rare opportunity to work with a genuine stainless-steel-substrate CIGS cell from a commercial production line. Because the cells are raw and unencapsulated, buyers will need to apply a suitable encapsulant (such as EVA film and a backsheet, or a clear potting compound) before deploying them in any exposed environment.
These Solopower CIGS flexible stainless steel solar cells are new, unused factory stock acquired directly when Solopower ceased operations at their San Jose and Portland, Oregon facilities. The cells were never intended to be sold individually — they are raw production cells that were not encapsulated or finished into panels. Each cell is in new condition with no signs of use or wear. Because they are uncoated and unencapsulated, they will need to be encapsulated before outdoor or weather-exposed use. We tested these cells and found they produce approximately 0.45 volts at over 2 amps in full sun (no official specs were published by the manufacturer). Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions. Please note: We have multiple units in stock — yours may not be the one shown in the photos, however, it will be similar in condition and function.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Technical Paper: |
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Brand: |
Solopower |
Model: |
Flexible CIGS Solar Cell |
Type: |
Thin-Film CIGS Flexible Solar Cell |
SKU: |
48973 |
Power Output: |
1.25 Watts per cell |
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): |
Approx. 0.45V (tested, full sun) |
Short Circuit Current (Isc): |
Over 2 Amps (tested, full sun) |
Cell Technology: |
CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) |
Substrate Material: |
Stainless Steel |
Flexibility: |
Highly flexible / malleable |
Encapsulation: |
None — raw/uncoated; requires encapsulation |
Cell Length: |
190.5 mm (7.5 in) |
Cell Width: |
95.25 mm (3.75 in) |
Cell Thickness: |
0.253 mm (0.01 in) |
Quantity in Lot: |
100 cells |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Seller Notes: |
Lot of 100 raw unencapsulated cells; no encapsulant or frame included |
Application: |
DIY solar, R&D, prototyping, flexible solar arrays |
Condition: |
New — unused factory stock, unencapsulated |
Condition Notes: |
New unused factory stock. Raw unencapsulated CIGS cells acquired from Solopower at closure. Tested at approx. 0.45V, 2A+ in full sun. Must be encapsulated before weather exposure. Lot of 100 cells. |
