Solopower SP1 CIGS Flexible Solar Cell String 34 Cells 14.5"W Unencapsulated SS

Solopower SP1 CIGS Flexible Solar Cell String 34 Cells 14.5"W Unencapsulated SS

These Solopower SP1 CIGS flexible thin-film solar cells are a rare opportunity to work directly with production-grade copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic material. Each string consists of 34 individual CIGS cells deposited on a flexible stainless steel substrate, series-connected and tabbed at the factory. The cells have been tested and confirmed to produce power. They are unencapsulated — meaning the active CIGS layer is bare and exposed — so they require careful handling and will need encapsulation for any permanent or outdoor installation.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Solopower (Portland, Oregon)
• Model: SP1
• Cell technology: CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) thin-film
• Number of cells: 34 per string
• String dimensions: 14.5 inches wide × 46.5 inches long
• Substrate: Flexible stainless steel (SS)
• Connection: Series string connected and tabbed
• Encapsulation: None — unencapsulated bare cells
• Tab leads: Ribbon-style output tabs at end of string (visible in photos)
• Tested to produce power prior to sale
• Provenance: Solopower Portland factory — sourced at facility closure in 2019

Applications

Solopower was a U.S.-based manufacturer of CIGS thin-film solar panels, operating out of Portland, Oregon until the company shut down in 2019. Their SP1 product line used a roll-to-roll deposition process to lay CIGS absorber layers onto flexible stainless steel foil, producing lightweight, bendable photovoltaic strings unlike conventional rigid silicon panels. These unencapsulated strings are suited for DIY solar projects, solar energy research, educational demonstrations, custom laminate fabrication, and experimental flexible photovoltaic builds where the builder will apply their own encapsulant (EVA, silicone, or similar). CIGS thin-film technology offers good low-light and diffuse-light performance relative to its area, and the flexible stainless steel substrate allows integration into curved or unconventional surfaces. Because these cells are bare and unencapsulated, they are not intended for direct outdoor installation without further processing — they are raw photovoltaic material for builders and researchers who want to work with genuine commercial CIGS cells.