NOVELTY - Photovoltaic (PV) device comprises a first alkali metal-containing polymer film (ACPF).    USE - PV device i.e. flexible (claimed), semi-flexible, and rigid PV device.    ADVANTAGE - The ACPF is capable of providing sodium in a controlled fashion during deposition of absorber layer. The temperature tolerance of the cured ACPF can withstand photovoltaic absorber deposition temperatures that are higher than the temperature tolerance range of the polymer neat. The composite design of ACPF provides for the facile production of PV device that is lightweight, easily manufactured, robust, operationally efficient, and capable of reliable performance over a prolonged lifetime. The solar energy conversion efficiency of CIGS energy absorber is enhanced by the presence of sodium provided from the ACPF during fabrication of the PV device. The PV device achieves a conversion efficiency of 10, preferably above 20%, as a result of the delivery of sodium dopant into the absorber layer. The amount of sodium or other alkali metal is uniform across a portion of the thickness of CIGS absorber such that SIMS counts per second do not differ by more than a factor of 1.25, preferably 2 across a thickness of the absorber selected from 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100% of the thickness of the absorber; or varies across a portion of the thickness of the CIGS absorber such that SIMS counts per second differ by more than a factor of 2, preferably 3 across a thickness of the absorber selected from 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100% of the thickness of the absorber.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for making PV device comprising providing a first ACPF; and depositing a photovoltaic absorber for conversion of solar energy, where during the step of depositing the absorber, alkali metal from ACPF is provided to the absorber.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing is a graph showing SIMS results of CIGS absorber layers that are deposited on substrates comprising ACPF layers.