MATERIAL SOURCED FROM MINING BYPRODUCTS
The semiconductor material used in First Solar PV Modules is primarily sourced from the byproducts of mining operations. First Solar PV Modules incorporate micron amounts of cadmium telluride (CdTe) – about 1-2% of the semiconductor material used in typical crystalline silicon solar modules. Once compounded and encapsulated in First Solar modules, CdTe proves optimal for converting sunlight to useful electricity. The semiconductor material is effectively sequestered within the module throughout its 25+ year lifetime.
First Solar is converting waste products from one manufacturing process into material used in the manufacture of solar modules. Solar modules then produce clean, affordable energy reducing the environmental impacts of traditional fossil fuel generation and allowing us to make a significant contribution to the challenges of climate change and energy security.
