show what can be done harnessing first class R&D.
Note the celebration over such an incremental improvement once you are in the lead in the first place.
http://www.ecnmag.com/News/2011/07/First-Solar-Sets-Record-for-CdTe-Solar-PV-Efficiency/?et_cid=1867671&et_rid=45572778&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ecnmag.com%2fNews%2f2011%2f07%2fFirst-Solar-Sets-Record-for-CdTe-Solar-PV-Efficiency%2f
First Solar Sets Record for CdTe Solar PV Efficiency
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011
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First Solar, Inc. 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.
"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 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 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.
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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4 COMMENTS
bcstractor7/29/2011 12:48:25 AM
billp37
Why would they answer your question when they have already told you the efficiency? You don't seem to understand that this is a prototype nor do you understand the measurement techniques - you seem to be on some sort of witch hunt.
billp377/28/2011 2:45:49 PM
From: "billp37" <bpayne37@comcast.net>
To: "benjamin kroposki" <benjamin_kroposki@nrel.gov>
Cc: "Dave McCoy" <dave@radfreenm.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 12:22:56 PM
Subject: The test cell's performance, confirmed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
Hello Mr Kroposki,
http://www.nrel.gov/eis/working.html
I read
First Solar, Inc. 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.
How were the efficiency data collected and efficiency computed?
Please ack if you receive this email.
Thanks in adavance.
bill
billp377/28/2011 12:13:45 PM
No response to below
Tuesday June 28, 2011 10:47
http://www.prosefights.org/pnmrate/pnmrate.htm#first1
info@firstsolar.com
Hello First Solar,
Solar arrays seen in person at the PNM Reeves and Los Lunas, NM sites prompts enquiry in our role as intervenor movants in New Mexico PRC Case No. 11-00123-UT .
1 What are panel length, width and thicknesses in inches?
2 What is the weight?
3 What is the part number?
4 What is the retail price?
5 What is the open circuit voltage as a function of insolation?
6 What is current and voltage as a function of resistive loads and insolation?
7 Assuming the formulas
Heat Rate (Energy Efficiency)
Overall thermal performance or energy efficiency for a power plant for a period can be defined as
fhr = H / E (1)
where
fhr = heat rate (Btu/kW, kJ/kW)
H = heat supplied to the power plant for a period (Btu, kJ)
E = energy output from the power plant in the period (kWh)
are correct, what is the energy efficiency of First Solar panels used in PNM arrays as a function of insolation?
If First Solar feels that the above equations do not apply, then please explain.
Please ack if you receive this email.
Thanks in advance.
bill
BobGroh7/28/2011 11:14:44 AM
Very impressed - not that the numbers sound all that great (that is just my own inexperience in this field showing) but really impressed with their recycling plan. Very interesting overall and I expect to trot on over to their web site to check them out.
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