Description
Solopower SP3 CIGS Flexible Thin Film Solar Cell 1W 0.45V 2A 127x95mm DIY
The Solopower SP3 is a raw, unencapsulated CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) thin-film solar cell built on a lightweight stainless steel substrate. It is extremely thin and flexible — capable of being rolled or curved — making it well-suited for custom and experimental solar power projects. These cells have been tested at our facility and found to produce approximately 0.45 volts at around 2 amps for a total of roughly 1 watt in full sun. Note: these are raw, uncoated cells with no encapsulant layer — they must be encapsulated before use in any outdoor or weather-exposed application.
Specifications & What's Included
- Model: Solopower SP3
- Cell Technology: CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide)
- Substrate: Stainless steel (lightweight, flexible)
- Power Output: ~1W in full sun
- Voltage: ~0.45V
- Current: ~2A
- Length: 127mm (5 inches)
- Width: 95.25mm (3.75 inches)
- Thickness: 0.253mm (0.01 inches)
- Surface: Uncoated — encapsulation required before outdoor or wet-environment use
- Flexibility: Cell is rollable and conformable as shown in photos
- Includes: Single solar cell in protective metallic storage bag
- Note: No manufacturer datasheet specifications available; output values are from our own testing
Applications
CIGS thin-film solar cells like the Solopower SP3 are used in DIY solar energy projects, experimental photovoltaic research, and custom solar panel fabrication. Because of their stainless steel backing and exceptional flexibility, they can conform to curved surfaces and are commonly used in projects where rigid silicon cells won't work — such as wearable technology prototypes, curved architectural surfaces, flexible solar arrays, and small portable charging devices. Multiple cells can be wired in series to increase voltage or in parallel to increase current output, allowing builders to target specific power requirements. Solopower was a US-based thin-film solar manufacturer that produced CIGS cells and panels noted for their light weight and flexibility compared to conventional crystalline silicon. These raw cells are a practical choice for electronics hobbyists, solar researchers, and educators building custom photovoltaic assemblies. Encapsulation with EVA film, resin, or a similar material is a required step before any outdoor deployment to protect the active layer from moisture and mechanical damage.
This Solopower SP3 CIGS Flexible Thin-Film Solar Cell is new and unused. These cells have been tested at our facility and found to produce approximately 0.45 volts at around 2 amps (roughly 1 watt) in full sun. Each cell is raw and uncoated — encapsulation is required before outdoor or weather-exposed use. Cells are stored in protective metallic bags as shown in the photos. 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: |
|
Brand: |
Solopower |
Model: |
SP3 |
MPN: |
SP3 |
Type: |
CIGS Thin-Film Flexible Solar Cell |
SKU: |
49604 |
Seller Notes: |
Single raw uncoated CIGS cell; encapsulation required before outdoor use |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Cell Technology: |
CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide) |
Power Output: |
1W (approx. in full sun) |
Voltage (Voc): |
0.45V |
Current (Isc): |
~2A |
Cell Length: |
127mm (5 in) |
Cell Width: |
95.25mm (3.75 in) |
Cell Thickness: |
0.253mm (0.01 in) |
Substrate Material: |
Stainless Steel |
Flexibility: |
Flexible / Rollable |
Surface Coating: |
Uncoated — encapsulation required |
Form Factor: |
Thin Film Sheet |
Application: |
DIY Solar Projects, Experimental, Custom Solar Arrays |
Condition: |
New |
Condition Notes: |
Solopower SP3 CIGS flexible solar cell — new and unused. Tested at our facility: ~0.45V, ~2A, ~1W in full sun. Raw uncoated cell; encapsulation required for outdoor use. Stored in protective bag. |
