INDUSTRYNEWS First Solar sets world record for CdTe
FIRST SOLAR has announced it set a new world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar cell efficiency, reaching 17.3 percent with a test cell constructed using commercial-scale manufacturing equipment and materials. The test cell’s performance, confirmed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), far surpassed the previous record of 16.7 percent set in 2001.
First Solar’s research and development group studies a PV test cell constructed using commercial-scale manufacturing equipment and materials. (Photo: Business Wire)
“This is a significant milestone that demonstrates the ongoing potential of our advanced thin-film technology,” said Dave Eaglesham, Chief Technology Officer at First Solar. “This leap forward in R&D supports our efficiency roadmap for our production modules and will recalibrate
has recorded full-module efficiencies over 13.5 percent, with a 13.4 percent module confirmed by NREL. First Solar’s module efficiency roadmap sets a goal for production-module efficiencies of 13.5- 14.5 percent by the end of 2014.
industry expectations for the long-term efficiency potential of CdTe technology.” “This achievement is a direct result of our industry-leading investment in research and development and our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Rob Gillette, CEO of First Solar. “First Solar’s innovation in both module technology and balance of systems engineering continues to drive us closer to grid parity.”
The average efficiency of First Solar modules produced in the first quarter of 2011 was 11.7 percent, up from 11.1 percent a year earlier, and the company
Materials supply key to thin film PV
MARKETS for thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) devices are growing rapidly, with a range of devices under development using different materials. Analysis by the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) has found that the availability of materials needed for these devices is sufficient for short-term requirements. However, if markets for thin film grow in line with some energy scenarios in the next 20 years demand for materials used in some devices could greatly exceed current global production. Information on the future supply of indium and tellurium is currently inadequate and it is not possible to determine whether supply can expand to meet demand.
The study, by a team from UKERC based at Imperial College London, is published in a Working Paper, “Materials Availability: Potential constraints to the future low- carbon economy”. It assesses the demand and supply of indium and tellurium, secondary metals typically extracted with zinc and copper. It is part of a wider UKERC research project into the scarcity of materials for advanced low- carbon technologies.
The global market for solar PV is growing rapidly, and some scenarios suggest that it could contribute as much as 10-15% of global electricity by 2050. Thin film PV devices are expected to occupy a significant share (35-40%) of this market based on International Energy Agency scenarios. CdTe and CIGS devices are both contenders for a share of the market.
UKERC modelled material requirements under different assumptions about cell thickness, conversion efficiency and other key drivers of material usage – assumptions that differ widely in existing studies. If markets for CIGS or CdTe were to grow in line with IEA scenarios then demand could increase considerably. Demand for tellurium could rise by as much as 1800% relative to current global production. Indium production, also used in the manufacture of flat screen displays, might need to rise by 12 -170%.
“Can this demand be met? It is extremely hard to say.” said Jamie Speirs, who led the analysis. “Data on reserves and production of these metals are not accurate. We know that recovery rates
could be increased, since we do not extract all of the indium and tellurium available in zinc and copper ores. We know that recycling could be increased. How quickly these rates can be increased is uncertain. Unlike rare earths, new finds of which were recently reported in the sea-beds of the pacific, indium and tellurium extraction is currently interwoven with the availability and economics of copper, zinc and other metals.”
When the researchers reviewed previous work on demand for indium and tellurium they found a wide range of assumptions. There is also an absence of meaningful data on resources. As a result, estimates of production increases vary widely.
Speirs adds: “Resource estimates are not available and simplistic assumptions such as using current production or crustal abundance to estimate potential supply cannot provide any meaningful insight into future production. Considerable additional research is needed to better understand the availability of indium and tellurium relative to potential demand growth from the PV sector.
First Solar utilizes a continuous manufacturing process which transforms a sheet of glass into a complete solar module in less than 2.5 hours, which contributes to the company’s industry- leading energy payback time and the low carbon footprint of systems using First Solar PV modules. First Solar also implemented the industry’s first comprehensive, prefunded solar module collection and recycling program. Anyone wishing to dispose of First Solar modules can request collection at any time, at no additional cost, and First Solar will pick up the modules and recycle up to 90% (by mass) of the material for use in new products, including new solar modules and new glass products.
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www.solar-pv-management.com Issue VII 2011
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