INDUSTRY BENCHMARK THIN FILM MODULES
With over 5 gigawatts (GW) of modules installed worldwide, First Solar’s advanced thin film technology has set the benchmark for sustainable energy solutions.
Benefits of First Solar's advanced thin film solar module technology:
- Outperforms conventional solar modules with equal power rating
- Proven energy yield advantage over conventional solar modules in hot climates
- World-record holder CdTe PV cell (17.3%) and PV module (14.4%) efficiency
- Manufacturing cost leader at under $.75/watt (Q4 2011)
- Industry’s first pre-funded collection and recycling program
- Smallest carbon footprint and fastest energy payback time of any PV system
First Solar Modules Outperform Conventional Solar Modules
Ideal sunny location + First Solar modules = More energy for the same nameplate watts
First Solar modules have a proven performance advantage over conventional solar modules. Due to a superior temperature coefficient, First Solar modules produce more energy in real-world environments.
All PV modules receive their power rating at Standard Test Conditions (STC) of 1,000 W/m2 solar irradiance and 25°C module temperature. In real-world environments module temperatures exceed 25°C (77°F), and First Solar modules generate more energy than competing modules with the same power rating due to a superior temperature coefficient.
The First Solar Energy Yield Advantage in Hot Climates
In a typical sunny location, module temperatures often reach 65°C (40°C above STC). At this temperature, the power output of typical crystalline silicon solar modules will be reduced by up to 20%, while First Solar power output will only be reduced by up to 10%, approximately half the reduction of competing solar modules.
In hot climates, solar modules spend more hours at higher temperatures. For example, on an annualized basis in the Southwestern U.S. desert, more than 90% of a PV plant’s generation will occur when module temperatures are above 25°C—where First Solar has a proven performance advantage.
The illustration above is based on a day of actual environmental and energy production data measured by First Solar for a 500kWp array in the Southwestern U.S. desert, compared to a typical crystalline silicon system with an equal nameplate. The First Solar system produced 11.3% more peak power and 9% more energy (kWh).
Proven Technology Certified for Reliability and Safety
First Solar modules have been verified by independent engineers and certified to international performance and safety standards by third party laboratories around the world, including installations with NREL for over 16 years. First Solar modules are proven, bankable, and backed by a 25-year power output warranty and a 10-year materials and workmanship warranty.
- Certified for performance and safety according to IEC 61646, IEC 61730, and IEC 61701 (salt mist corrosion)
- Regionally certified to UL (North America), CEC (Australia), Golden Sun (China), and MCS (UK) standards
- Manufacturing certified to ISO 9001:2008 (quality), ISO 14001:2004 (environmental) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (occupational, health and safety) standards