Honda develops, manufactures and sells CIGS thin-film solar cells

In December 2006, Honda established Honda Soltec Co., Ltd. to manufacture and sell Honda-developed CIGS thin-film solar cells, which produce energy with zero CO₂ emissions. In doing so, Honda became the first automobile manufacturer to enter the solar cell market. In October 2007, Honda began commercial production of the panels and began selling them for use in private homes. In October 2008, in response to increasing demand, Honda began selling the panels for use on manufacturing facilities and public buildings.

Utilizing thin film made from a compound of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), Honda's non-silicon solar cells have a generating layer that is 1/80 the thickness of a conventional silicon solar cell’s generating layer. In addition, the energy consumed in the manufacturing process is approximately 50 percent of the amount required by conventional solar cells, making the Honda solar cells even more environmentally responsible.

In 2011, Honda plans to launch an all-new, more compact solar cell module with 2/3 the surface area of the preceding model. This enhanced compactness makes it easier to install the exact number of modules required on roofs with a greater variety of sizes and shapes. Now more homes and buildings will be able to use Honda CIGS thin-film solar panels than ever before. In addition, the new module will offer conversion efficiency of 13 percent or higher—the highest level of any CIGS thin-film solar cell currently on the market.