SOLAR INDUSTRY AWARDS I WINNERS
THIN FILM INNOVATION AWARD First Solar
Thin Film Module Technology
SINCE THE COMPANY’S INCEPTION in 1999 First Solar has demonstrated thin- film cadmium telluride (CdTe) innovation. Developed in the United States, First Solar now has the only thin-film module technology that is proven more efficient and less costly than conventional crystalline silicon (C-Si Photovoltaic)PV modules.
First Solar has dedicated research and development toward exponential innovation with multiple records for research cell efficiency increasing from 16.5% to today’s record 20.4% and improving module efficiencies year over year. First Solar currently holds the world record in CdTe research module 17% and research cell efficiency 20.4% using organic and acquired technology. First Solar has demonstrated repeated successful innovation cycles converting these historical technology developments by effectively scaling the advancements into more than 8GW of high volume production.
First Solar’s thin-film technology addresses the global issue of identifying an efficient cost effect and sustainable alternative energy source that competes with traditional energy sources today. First Solar has lowered the cost of solar electricity by developing utility-scale PV solutions utilizing thin-film technology
competitive with conventional energy sources. First Solar has achieved economies of scale through its innovative fully integrated manufacturing process which produces a thin-film PV module from a sheet of glass in less than 2.5 hours while using less energy water and semiconductor material than conventional crystalline PV’s production process. The semiconductor material used has the highest theoretical efficiency of any known PV material. Combined with the lowest inherent manufacturing costs CdTe presents the greatest opportunity for solar electricity to change the way the world is powered.
Superior spectral response in humid climates - Superior temperature coefficient in hot climates - Industry-leading long- term reliability and durability - Smallest carbon footprint - Lowest life-cycle water use - Fastest energy payback time.
First Solar has executed an IP-based innovation strategy using both internal and acquired device technology and has combined it with unique manufacturing technology to achieve over a decade of documented improvements culminating in 17% record PV research module efficiency. First Solar has built on the success of core technology and invests heavily in accelerating research and development.
Issue V 2014 I
www.solar-international.net 37
Christopher Burghardt, VP Business Development and Sales, Europe at First Solar
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