Siemens, Shell, Saint-Gobain – these are names we have been working with since the very early days, and that are closely associated with our successes and our development in the field of future-focused photovoltaics. Since as early as 1981, we have had various teams carrying out research into CIS technology, which allows the sun's energy to be harnessed sustainably and cost-effectively – and is attractive to look at too.

We started commercial series production of CIS solar modules in Camarillo, California, in 1998 – the first company in the world to do so. And with an annual capacity of 3 megawatts, we were able to demonstrate even then the tremendous potential of this technology. Today, AVANCIS is the most experienced researcher and producer of CIS solar cells in the world. We are the first company to go into second-generation CIS production.

AVANCIS was founded in 2006 by the petroleum company Shell and the French glass and building materials specialist Saint-Gobain as a joint venture for the systematic further development of CIS technology. Since 2008, production of high-performance CIS solar modules has been based in Torgau in the German state of Saxony – with increasing capacity and growing success. In 2009, Saint-Gobain took over Shell's share and has since been effectively promoting the development of CIS photovoltaics through its subsidiary AVANCIS.

As a manufacturer of photovoltaic systems, AVANCIS builds on decades of research in the pioneering field of CIS technology. The seeds for its success were sown by Arco Solar, which carried out the first laboratory experiments in 1981. In 1998, pilot production began for the first time in Camarillo, California, after which Siemens Solar and later Shell Solar made a commitment to develop CIS solar technology further. Our journey towards developing the future-proof CIS solar cell has been studded with countless world-record achievements and awards.