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Solar energy
The sun is continually beaming abundant energy to the Earth as light, and for centuries people have captured solar radiation and converted it into useful power using a number of technologies. Shell too has been investigating and developing technologies designed to capture and use these plentiful, carbon-free rays.
Silicon-based technology has been used for a long time to convert sunlight into useable energy. But CIS (copper indium diselenide) thin-film technology uses fewer raw materials in the “active layer” where the sun’s energy is converted into electrical energy. And a simpler production process means it can be cheaper to produce large quantities of solar panels. Metal solutions are sprayed onto a glass sheet in layers, similar to the method used to coat windows. The smooth black design of CIS panels suits urban areas where they can be integrated into buildings and they perform extremely well in the shade.
Shell CIS solar panels, St Asaph, UK
We have a stake in the AVANCIS thin-film manufacturing plant in Germany.
