Avancis

Name

Avancis

Legal name

AVANCIS GmbH

Website

https://avancis.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and Thin-Film Solar Modules

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film) (EUAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), Next-Gen Photovoltaics R&D (Perovskite, Tandem, Organic, BIPV Materials) (EUAMAOAA)

Keywords

• Thin-film photovoltaics
• CIGS solar modules
• Building-integrated photovoltaics
• BIPV facade systems
• CIGS tandem technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Torgau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CIGS Solar Module Sales: AVANCIS generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of premium CIGS thin-film solar modules. Main product lines include SKALA (BIPV facade modules), SKALA Industry (industrial facade modules), SKALA High (high-wind-load facade modules), SKALA Matrix (facade integration), and PowerMax (classic PV modules). Modules are sold directly to building owners, architects, industrial facilities, and infrastructure operators. The company operates B2B and B2C general terms and conditions.
2. Thin-film Technology Services: AVANCIS offers advanced thin-film technology services to external partners including coating, annealing, laser & patterning, grid & inkjet printing, and characterization services. These services leverage decades of CIGS photovoltaic expertise and are offered as customized solutions to partner organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Avancis manufactures and sells CIGS thin-film photovoltaic solar modules, primarily Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) facade solutions under the SKALA product platform (SKALA, SKALA Industry, SKALA High, SKALA Matrix, SKALA Solid) and PowerMax classic PV modules. The company also sells advanced thin-film technology services (coating, annealing, laser & patterning, grid & inkjet printing, characterization) to external partners. Production runs 120 MW annually at the Torgau fab, with R&D in Munich.

Product overview

AVANCIS is a pioneer and technology leader in CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenium) thin-film photovoltaic technology, specializing in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) solutions. The company operates two main product platforms: PowerMax (their earlier frameless thin-film module with abZ approval) and SKALA (their primary energy-generating facade cladding material launched in 2016). The SKALA family has expanded to include SKALA Industry for industrial buildings, SKALA High for high-rise applications with extended wind load approval, SKALA Matrix for flexible modular design, and SKALA Solid using innovative printing technology. All products feature AVANCIS' Cd-free CIGS technology with approximately 2 µm semiconductor layers. Beyond products, AVANCIS offers comprehensive thin-film technology services including coating, annealing, laser & patterning, grid & inkjet printing, and characterization services for external partners leveraging their 40+ years of CIGS expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SKALA Primary energy-generating facade cladding material for buildings and infrastructure facilities, launched in 2016 as Avancis' main BIPV product platform. Available in multiple colors and sizes with rear-ventilated BIPV facade installation.
• SKALA Industry Industrial building facade product with power ratings up to 150W per module, designed for cost and efficiency demands of industrial buildings. Features 'In-joint' mounting option suitable for steel structures, aerated concrete or cassette facades. Available in standard size 1587 x 664mm, exclusively in black with float glass front.
• SKALA High High-rise facade product with extended general building approval for wind loads up to 6 kN/m², enabling aesthetic solar facades on high-rise buildings.
• SKALA Matrix New BIPV product for facade integration featuring modular design with different sizes and shades, offering adaptable and flexible application possibilities for architects and planners.
• SKALA Solid New product family using innovative printing technology for stable color appearance at varying viewing angles. First color Terracotta 1202 is particularly suitable for use in listed buildings.
• PowerMax SMART Frameless thin-film module with general building approval (abZ) from the German Institute for Building Technology, representing Avancis' first BIPV-approved product.
• Thin-film Coating Services High precision coating processes for a wide range of functional thin films including Ag, IZO, ZnO:Al, ZnMgO:Al, ZnOS, NiOx, InS:Na, C60, BCP, LiF, Cu, CuGa, In, CuNaF, Mo, AgGa, CuSb, Se using DC-sputtering, RF-sputtering, and thermal evaporation techniques.
• Thin-film Annealing Services Precision thermal processing for CIGS absorber formation and material optimization including atmosphere-controlled thermal annealing (up to 580°C) and high-precision rapid thermal annealing (RTA) up to 600°C with ultra-low oxygen levels (<10 ppm).
• Laser & Patterning Services High resolution laser structuring and mechanical patterning capabilities including ps-laser structuring (1064/1030/515/343 nm), edge deletion, laser engraving, and mechanical scratching with resolution down to <10 µm.
• Grid & Inkjet Printing Services Precision printing and metallization services for front contact formation including printed electronics, solar cell contacts, UV functional coating, RFID/IoT antennas, sensor electrodes, and photomask patterning.
• Thin-film Characterization Services Advanced analytical capabilities for thin-film and solar cell performance evaluation including XRF, Raman, GDOES, TRPL, Confocal Microscopy, Spectrometry, Spectral PL, Hall, Ellipsometry, Fringer, Resistance, Flash IV, Constant light IV, IV under LED light, Outdoor performance monitoring, EL imaging, DLIT/ILIT, Climatic chamber, and Continuous light exposure testing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20.3% power conversion efficiency for 30x30 cm CIGS submodule (NREL certified, 2023)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.

• SOLAR POWER TRANSFORMATION CLUSTER "SPOT ON" e.V.strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2024AVANCIS is a founding member of the SOLAR POWER TRANSFORMATION CLUSTER 'SPOT ON' e.V., founded on April 26, 2024 in Halle, Germany. The cluster aims to network companies from various eastern German states in production, services and research to strengthen eastern Germany as a solar location. Founding members include 10 companies including AVANCIS, CE Cell Engineering, Hanwha Q CELLS, NexWafe, and Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
• Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSPstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2024Fraunhofer CSP, together with Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and the European Metropolitan Region of Central Germany network, launched the initiative to found the Solar Cluster East Germany (SPOT ON). AVANCIS is a founding member.
• Anhalt University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2024Founding member of SOLAR POWER TRANSFORMATION CLUSTER 'SPOT ON' e.V. Co-initiator of the solar cluster founding initiative.
• VAVONA (Exhibition Stand Builder)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023VAVONA designed and built AVANCIS's approximately 40 square meter exhibition booth at BAU 2025 trade fair in Munich. The booth was completely equipped with SKALA Matrix modules in different shades of grey, showcasing product adaptability and flexibility.
• VFT (Forum Virtuelle Produktion von Fassadensystemen)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021AVANCIS has been a supporting member of the VFT association since 2021. Participation in annual two-day seminars enables networking and further establishment of BIPV. Focus areas include facades in the lifecycle, reinstallation, circular construction, and BIM requirements.
• SachsenEnergie AGcoreOthers · 1 January 2020SachsenEnergie AG supplies AVANCIS with 100% green electricity generated entirely from hydropower. This partnership enabled AVANCIS to switch its production completely to the use of green electricity, reducing almost half of emissions attributable to energy consumption during module production.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019HZB cladded its research laboratory facade with SKALA Blue 7003 modules years ago. The building with its energy-generating facade has been repeatedly publicized as a showcase project. HZB uses the facade not only for CIGS technology development but also to impart knowledge on BIPV topics.
• CNBM China Production FacilitystrategicTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017AVANCIS supplied CIGS technology for the successful production start-up in 2017 of the largest CIGS solar module production facility in China by CNBM. This represents technology transfer from AVANCIS Germany to CNBM manufacturing operations in China.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Solibro (Q CELLS): German-origin CIGS thin-film module maker, now part of Hanwha Q CELLS. Closest direct competitor to AVANCIS in CIGS technology, with overlapping European customer base and shared SPOT ON cluster membership.
• MiaSolé Hi-Tech: US-based CIGS thin-film flexible solar module manufacturer (acquired by CNBM-affiliated Hanwha in 2023 context, later by other parties). Direct CIGS peer with overlapping target markets in commercial roofing, facades, and BIPV.

Emerging players

• Saule Technologies: Polish perovskite-based BIPV startup developing printable, semi-transparent solar cells for building facades. Comparable as an emerging BIPV-focused thin-film technology competitor pursuing a similar architectural-integration niche to AVANCIS's SKALA product family.
• Tesla Solar (Solar Roof): Building-integrovoltaic solar roof product with strong brand and US-first rollout. Comparable as a premium BIPV solution competing for residential and commercial building-integrated solar demand, although using a different shingle-format technology rather than thin-film.
• Solaria Corporation: US-based premium solar module maker with architectural-grade, high-aesthetic BIPV and rooftop products. Comparable as a designer-friendly module specialist addressing architects and premium building owners in a similar niche to AVANCIS's SKALA.
• Oxford PV: UK/Germany-based pioneer of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells targeting high-efficiency rooftop and BIPV applications. Comparable as a next-generation thin-film-adjacent technology competitor aiming at the same premium architectural and rooftop solar segment AVANCIS addresses with SKALA.

Broad incumbents

• Hanwha Q CELLS: One of the world's largest PV module manufacturers and a co-founding SPOT ON cluster partner with AVANCIS. Comparable as a large-scale PV competitor with both c-Si and CIGS product lines addressing similar European rooftop and BIPV customers.
• First Solar: Largest thin-film PV manufacturer globally, producing CdTe modules for utility-scale projects. Comparable as a thin-film module maker competing with crystalline silicon, though AVANCIS is smaller and focused on CIGS BIPV facades rather than utility-scale ground-mount.

Others

• CNBM (China National Building Materials Group): AVANCIS's parent since 2014 and operator of the largest CIGS production facility in China using AVANCIS-transferred technology. Comparable as both corporate parent and adjacent player expanding CIGS capacity at much greater scale, representing AVANCIS's strategic growth vector.
• Saint-Gobain: Former JV partner that co-founded AVANCIS in 2006 and a major global building-materials group with solar-adjacent facade and glazing offerings. Comparable as an ecosystem participant in advanced building envelopes and historical parent of part of AVANCIS's technology lineage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Avancis