Technology
Advantage
2 FIRST SOLAR
TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE 3
The First Solar
Technology Advantage
First Solar Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) technology continues to
set performance records in both research and real-world environments. As a
field-proven technology, First Solar high efficiency modules offer a clear energy
density advantage over silicon-based modules by delivering superior efficiency,
higher real-world energy yield and long-term reliability.
First Solar modules feature an innovative design, quality construction and
superior performance that pass the industry’s most rigorous protocols. This
innovation provides customers with the industry’s leading performance in an
affordable, high efficiency module.
First Solar’s commercially available 16.3% efficiency beats best in class multicrystalline today. First Solar also holds the current world record for CdTe PV
module efficiency, achieving 18.2% for an advanced, full-size module.
16.3% Module Efficiency Shipping Today
18.2% World-Record Module Efficiency
4 FIRST SOLAR
TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE 5
First Solar Modules vs
Standard Silicon Modules
First Solar’s Module Advantage
Land Utilization Advantage
As a result of higher efficiency, First Solar modules offer higher power
density with comparable land usage when compared to typical c-Si
modules, resulting in more installed capacity per square meter (m2).
Specific Energy Yield Advantage
First Solar’s high efficiency modules have a proven specific energy
yield advantage to deliver more usable energy per nameplate watt than
conventional c-Si modules. Specific Annual Energy Yield captures operating
data over a year of module performance during varying real-world conditions
where temperature, sunlight intensity and solar spectrum all change
throughout the days and seasons.
SPECIFIC ENERGY YIELD =
TOTAL ENERGY (MWh) PRODUCED
INSTALLED NAMEPLATE CAPACITY (MWp)
First Solar has up to 11.2%
Energy Density Advantage
Superior efficiency combined with other real-world performance advantages result in First Solar technology delivering
significantly higher energy density than multi-crystalline Silicon (m-Si) solar panels. Given the same land area with an
equivalent module ground coverage ratio, First Solar’s CdTe modules will produce more annual energy from the same land
area than m-Si.
6 FIRST SOLAR
TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE 7
Delivering More Energy in
Real-World Conditions
HOW FIRST SOLAR DELIVERS A HIGHER ENERGY YIELD
Higher Energy Yield in Hot Conditions
All PV modules produce less power than their nameplate as temperatures
rise above their labeled 25°C standard test condition. Whenever module
operating temperatures exceed 25°C (this can be >90% of generating hours
in hot climates), First Solar modules will produce more energy compared to
c-Si modules due to the lower temperature co-efficient of power.
The First Solar CdTe module temperature co-efficient is 0.34%/°C, compared
to ~0.45%/°C for c-Si modules. On a hot sunny day, module temperatures
can easily reach 65°C resulting in First Solar modules producing up to
5% more power than c-Si modules on average. Over a year in hot climate
conditions, this high temperature advantage adds up to 2% more annual
energy than c-Si modules.
Higher Energy Yield Due to Better Shading Response
First Solar modules minimize power loss from shading because of its unique cell design. When a First
Solar module is shaded, only the shaded portion is impacted, while the rest of the module will continue
to produce power. This is in contrast to typical c-Si modules that turn off disproportionately large
portions of module when shading occurs to protect modules from damage. In an environment with 10%
shading, a standard c-Si module will lose 30% of its power while a First Solar module only experiences
a 10% loss of power under the same conditions.
Greater Energy Yield Drives Lower LCOE
While module efficiency identifies the power produced by a module in standard test conditions (STC) the
Specific Annual Energy Yield metric gives a more useful picture of the energy produced by the plant in a
year of real world conditions. When evaluating return on investment (ROI) for a solar power plant, energy
yield has one of the biggest impacts on the overall Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). First Solar’s
high efficiency modules are proven to deliver more usable energy per nameplate watt than conventional
silicon-based modules. This means that for an equivalently designed and installed power plant priced at
the same $/Watt, a First Solar plant will produce more energy, resulting in a lower LCOE ($/MWh).
Specific Annual Energy Yield in different regions of the world:
Sunlight is comprised of multiple wavelengths and various intensities of
light. The intensity of various sunlight wavelengths that reach the earth’s
surface is influenced by atmospheric conditions, with largest effect due to
water vapor in the atmosphere (commonly correlated to high humidity).
Different PV technologies respond differently to different light wavelengths.
On humid days, water in the atmosphere reduces specific wavelengths of
available light. First Solar CdTe modules are less sensitive to reductions in
wavelengths most affected by this type of high atmospheric water content.
As a result, this superior spectral response allows First Solar modules to
produce up to 6% more annual energy in high humidity conditions.
United Arab
Emirates2
S.E. USA1
South Africa2
Germany1
HOT & HUMID
HOT & HUMID
MILD & HUMID
HOT & DRY
COOL & HUMID
First Solar
Advantage: 9.1%
First Solar
Advantage: 8.8%
First Solar
Advantage: 5.0%
First Solar
Advantage: 4.4%
First Solar
Advantage: 2.0%
Specific Yield DC (kWh/kWpDC/yr)
Higher Energy Yield in Humid Conditions Due
to Spectral Response Advantage
India1
First Solar
PV Syst energy simulation of equivalently designed fixed tilt arrays comparing First Solar thin film PV modules to ‘tier 1’ 72-cell multi-crystalline silicon utility scale pv modules
2
PV Syst energy simulation of equivalently designed single-axis tracker arrays comparing First Solar thin film PV modules to ‘tier 1’ 72-cell multi-crystalline silicon utility scale pv modules
1
c-Si
8 FIRST SOLAR
TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE 9
The First Solar
Reliability Advantage
600
Long-Term Reliability Increases Plant Value
500
400
100
0
0
exceeds expected returns.
Long-Term Predictable Performance
50
100
150
200
250
Over 20 years of innovation, First Solar has compiled a lengthy
track record in helping utilities meet the world’s growing energy
needs with clean and affordable energy.
Proven Quality
600
Predictable lifetime energy is critical to confidently project the
500
expected value of the sellable energy from a PV plant designed
for 400
long-term operation.
Due to the solar industry’s rapid innovation cycles, PV technology relies
on independent laboratory-accelerated testing protocols to determine the
suitability and performance of modules in the field. Independent lab test
results prove the quality of our technology and provide support for the
reliable lifetime module performance backed by a 25 year module warranty.
Description
IEC 61646/IEC 61730
Certification
Basic industry market entry certifications
Thresher Test
Multiplies basic IEC 61730/61646 test cycles and durations
2X to 4X
Long-Term
Sequential Test
6-month accelerated protocol to evaluate long-term harsh
climate durability
Atlas 25+
Certification
12-month weathering-intensive certification through projected
25+ year harsh climate field lifetimes
Demonstrates high resistance to potential induced
degradation at extreme ± 1500V voltages at most extreme
192hr 85C/85% RH test levels, enabling confident floating
and grounded applications
IEC 60068 Certification Demonstrates minimal power loss and package integrity
Desert Sand Resistance resistant to wind-blown particulates
IEC 62804
PID-Resistant
Certification
Results
PASS
1500V certification level
PASS
<5% Power Output drop
20+ Year NREL Degradation Study
PASS
1st thin film module, and one of
only 5 modules in the world to pass.
PASS
One of only 4 modules in the world
to pass.
PASS
1500V
PASS
600
Calc DC Power (PTC)
Test
First100Solar CdTe modules have been field-deployed and
independently monitored by NREL with a documented long-term
0
median0 power degradation
rate
-0.45% per200year. This250
50
100 of just150
low degradation rate positively impacts the long-term reliability
and LCOE over the life of the entire power plant.
1,000MW
OF MONITORED SITES
PERFORMING AT OR ABOVE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR OVER
10 YEARS
18
# of Plants
First Solar monitors one of the largest databases of utility-scale PV
installations in operation today. The quality and reliability of our technology
is proven both in short-term and long-term field performance. As a result,
First Solar customers consistently receive energy generation that meets or
0
500
95-97%
99-101%
103-105%
Plant Energy Performance vs P50 Expectation
400
96% of Plants within ±5% of PER
0
0
50
100
Months
150
200
Low, Long-Term Linear Degradation Rate With No Cliff Events
250
10 FIRST SOLAR
TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE 11
Bankability Advantage
DEMONSTRATING FINANCIAL STABILITY IS ESSENTIAL TO OBTAINING
LOW-COST FINANCING
First Solar has the strongest balance sheet and cash position among
all companies in the solar space. There is unparalleled use of the
company’s modules in debt-financed projects around the world. Many
financial institutions appreciate the integrity of First Solar projects and the
performance of the company’s technologies in high yield solar projects for
their superior ROI. When evaluating the combination of First Solar’s market
leading technology, risk profile and financial standing, the world’s leading PV
investors and financial institutions see a pattern of more value and less risk
than competing alternatives.
First Solar topped the list of the 20 PV
module brands most used in debt-financed
projects in Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s
report, “PV module bankability 2014: where’s
the trust?”
Produce More Energy
at a Lower LCOE
By design, First Solar technology delivers a higher energy density than
competing technologies. This ensures the plant produces more energy,
more consistently, over the long term. Through predictable performance,
the asset depreciates at a lower rate and ensures the plant’s ongoing
bankability. Together, these benefits establish the First Solar Technology
Advantage by lowering the LCOE to prices that are competitive with
today’s traditional energy sources.
By design, First Solar technology delivers a higher energy density
than competing technologies.
firstsolar.com
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