First Solar Inc. is planning a restricted manufacturing run of the world’s first bifacial solar panel using a sophisticated skinny movie semiconductor. The totally practical pre-commercial Series 6 Plus Bifacial photovoltaic (PV) module made its {industry} debut at Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany.
The module, which is present process discipline and laboratory testing, builds on the observe document of First Solar’s profitable Series 6 monofacial module platform. The module options an modern clear again contact, pioneered by First Solar’s analysis and growth (R&D) groups. In addition to enabling bifacial energy acquire, it permits infrared wavelengths of sunshine to move via quite than be absorbed as warmth. It is predicted to decrease the operational temperature of the bifacial module and end in a better particular energy yield.
“This module combines the quality, sustainability, reliability and long-term performance of our Series 6 Plus platform with our first increment of bifaciality,” says Pat Buehler, chief product officer, First Solar. “Once commercialized, we expect Series 6 Plus Bifacial to represent the first real alternative to crystalline silicon-based bifacial technology, effectively combining bifaciality with the industry’s best warranted degradation rate, CdTe thin film’s ability to deliver more energy per nameplate watt, best-in-class reliability and durability and innovative module design.”
Series 6 Plus monofacial module options an industry-best 0.3 % warranted degradation charge, superior temperature coefficient, spectral response, and shading habits, and an anti-reflective coating to boost energy manufacturing. Moreover, in contrast to crystalline silicon panels, First Solar’s Series 6 Plus module doesn’t expertise losses from Light Induced Degradation and Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation. The module is manufactured below one roof with 100% traceable high quality assurance, exceeding International Electrotechnical Commission requirements in excessive temperature, excessive humidity, and excessive desert and coastal purposes.
First Solar is within the midst of establishing a brand new R&D innovation middle in Perrysburg, Ohio. Representing an funding of roughly $370 million, the power is believed to be the primary of its scale within the Western Hemisphere and is predicted to speed up the event and manufacturing of superior skinny movie PV.
Scheduled to be accomplished in 2024, the R&D middle will probably be positioned close to First Solar’s present Perrysburg manufacturing facility, overlaying an space of roughly 1.3 million sq. ft. It will characteristic a high-tech pilot manufacturing line permitting for the manufacturing of full sized prototypes of skinny movie and tandem PV modules.
