Small- and-large area Cu(In,Ga)Se-2- based solar cells, as well as 20 cm(2) mini-modules are produced using a "baseline" approach that privileges process simplicity and statistical significance. High-quality devices are controllably obtained, as well as a 14.7% world record mini-module. Both "grided" and "conventional" mini-modules are produced and compared. A few processes from our research areas are presented as candidates for baseline integration. Among these, the examples of "fast" CIGS and "thin" CIGS are shown. For the latter, Ga-grading is involved and fill factors above 81% have been measured. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.