Solopower CIGS Flexible Solar Cell 1.25W Stainless Steel 0.45V 2A+ Lot of 100

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.