Announced in conjunction with the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, cadmium-telluride (CdTe) thin film leader, First Solar has achieved a new total area efficiency record for its standard-sized modules of 14.4%. NREL was said to have confirmed the record, which was previously held by First Solar at 13.4%. Actual volume production of modules with efficiencies between 14.5-15%, are expected in 2015. First Solar reached volume production of modules with an efficiency of 11.7% in 2011.
“This considerable achievement supports our module efficiency roadmap and demonstrates our ability to convert our record-cell technology into ongoing module-level improvements,” said Dave Eaglesham, First Solar's Chief Technology Officer. “These records also underscore the tremendous ongoing potential of CdTe compared to silicon-based technologies.”
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First Solar reiterated that efficiency records were created using commercial-scale manufacturing equipment and materials at its Perrysburg, Ohio factory. According to First Solar’s stated technology roadmap, which is now focused entirely on CdTe after halting work on CIGS technology, is projected to reach manufactured efficiencies of 12.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012.