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SEM false-coloured to resemble the bow of a ship submerged in the sea, shows the morphology of a crystal of the polycrystalline compound called copper indium gallium diselenide or Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (commonly abbreviated to CIGSe or CIGS). Due to its valuable photovoltaic properties, such as high optical absorption, this semiconductor has been successfully used to make thin film solar cells and modules. The use of this type of material allows for more efficient use of solar energy, and thin film modules based on CIGS have shown excellent long term outdoor stability. Solar energy can be exploited by using solar cells to directly convert sun light into electricity. It is one of the most abundant and cleanest renewable energy sources currently available. Using renewable energy sources reduces dependence on fossil fuels and helps to protect the environment. Horizontal image width is 320 micrometres. (Photo by Eberhardt Josué Friedrich Kernahan and Enrique Rodríguez Cañas/Wellcome Images)
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