news digest ♦ Solar
Stion says the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has verified 14.8% aperture efficiency (13.4% module efficiency) for fully certified commercial modules (65 cm x 165 cm) produced at its Hattiesburg, Mississippi factory.
Stion believes this 145 W module has the highest efficiency verified by NREL for a monolithically integrated CIGS module manufactured on a commercial production line, and exceeds the 140 W module produced by the firm on its San Jose pilot line last August.
“Reaching 14.8% efficiency on a commercial module out of our factory in MS is a significant operational and technical advancement,” says Chet Farris, Stion’s President and CEO. “We plan to continue driving our technical roadmap while maintaining our focus on capital costs and product costs.”
Stion made the first commercial shipment from its 100 MW production line in Hattiesburg this March.
“This is a truly outstanding result and we congratulate Stion on its rapid progress in Hattiesburg,” adds Rommel Noufi, the lead researcher for thin-film solar cells at NREL. “Achieving 14.8% efficiency using a large-area production process indicates that Stion is continuing to make significant innovations in CIGS technology that are reproducible and scalable. It speaks to the continued importance of US-made thin film modules in helping meet the Department of Energy’s SunShot goals.”
Stion’s unique approach to CIGS leverages proprietary materials and device expertise along with a
robust, high-volume manufacturing process based on readily available, standardised equipment. Utilising a monolithically integrated circuit design instead of assembling individual cells into a module enables a lower bill of materials and a more streamlined manufacturing process.
First Solar to commence CdTe module installation at AV Solar Ranch One
When completed in 2013, the cadmium telluride solar facility will generate enough electricity to power 75,000 homes
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and First Solar have reached an agreement on the installation of solar modules at the Solar Ranch One photovoltaic (PV) power plant currently under construction in the Antelope Valley.
The agreement enables First Solar to continue construction activities of the 230 MW power plant. Installation of the modules had been delayed while First Solar and Public Works worked to achieve agreement related to the module code certifications.
Dennis Hunter, Deputy Director of County Public Works, said the Department was responsible for ensuring that all applicable building codes were met by the project in order to protect the health and safety of county residents.
“We’re pleased to see the project back on track,” Hunter said. “Following our discussions, we are now confident in First Solar’s ability to meet our health and safety requirements.”
Work on the project began in August 2011 and is creating about 400 jobs during construction on the 2100 acre site.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said the AV Solar Ranch was one of the largest construction projects currently underway in the county and provided significant employment opportunities to the Antelope Valley community.
“I am very pleased my office was able to facilitate resolution that helped towards finally resolving the permit issue involving the safety requirements of the AVSR1 project in the Antelope Valley,” Supervisor Antonovich said. “More importantly, this resolution will help those employees that have been furloughed to return to work as quickly as possible.”
Jim Lamon, First Solar Senior Vice President of Engineering, Procurement and Construction
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www.compoundsemiconductor.net July 2012
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