First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced it has set yet another
world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) research
cell conversion efficiency, achieving 21.5 percent efficiency certified
at the Newport Corporation’s Technology and Applications Center (TAC) PV
Lab. The achievement places First Solar ahead of its established
research cell roadmap, and validates CdTe’s continuing competitive
advantage over traditional crystalline silicon technology.
Demonstrating that production-scale performance is keeping pace with
record R&D advancements, First Solar has also announced its commercial
modules have passed Atlas 25+® certification following a rigorous series
of long-term combined-stress environmental exposure tests.
Record Cell Documented by NREL
The record-setting research cell was constructed at the company’s
Perrysburg, Ohio manufacturing factory and Research & Development Center
using processes and materials suitable for commercial-scale
manufacturing. The record has been documented in the U.S. Department of
Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) “Best
Research Cell Efficiencies” reference chart. It is the eighth
substantial update to CdTe record efficiency since 2011, firmly
establishing a sustained trend of rapid performance improvements.
“Our latest research cell efficiency record is a result of continued
learning in the material science and device physics of CdTe solar
cells,” said Raffi Garabedian, First Solar’s Chief Technology Officer.
“Our work is not done in isolation, but is in part a result of the many
fruitful collaborations we have with academia, national labs, and our
industrial partners, most notably GE Global Research. The learning has
enabled us to further optimize our fabrication processes and thereby
boost the performance of practical devices further towards the
theoretical limit.”
The true value of improved cell efficiency, Garabedian noted, comes from
the translation of the science into commercially viable product with
improved power output and energy density. “By virtue of our adaptable
thin film manufacturing process and our dedication to science-based
design-for-reliability, First Solar is unique in its ability to rapidly
scale such new developments into cost-effective and reliable product,”
he said.
Garabedian emphasized that First Solar’s significant sustained
investment in development of CdTe technology has enabled the company to
meet or exceed its aggressive projections for improvements in research
cells and modules, as well as commercialized technology. In March of
2014, First Solar presented a technology roadmap anticipating a 22
percent research cell efficiency milestone in 2015. “Given the slope of
our research cell improvements and the fact that it’s still February, we
remain confident that we’ll meet or exceed our roadmap expectations,”
said Garabedian.
Atlas 25+ Certification Raises the Bar for Durability
First Solar’s focus on module durability continues to yield results for
commercially available products. In late January, First Solar’s
production PV modules achieved Atlas 25+ certification status following
a rigorous series of long-term combined-stress environmental exposure
tests.
The Atlas 25+ certification stresses durability and degradation against
accelerated environmental conditions experienced in long-term service.
According to Azmat Siddiqi, Senior Vice President for Quality and
Reliability, First Solar modules passed the Atlas 25+ stress tests for
all parameters, including power output, insulation resistance and visual
damage in the hot/arid, subtropical, temperate and “global composite”
climate simulations.
“The modules were tested against the most stringent standards
available,” said Siddiqi. “We are proud to note that performance of our
production modules is evolving hand in hand with other technology
advances.” Siddiqi said testing was conducted by Atlas Material Testing
Technology, and that formal certification documentation will be issued
by SGS, a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification
organization recognized for providing global benchmarks for quality and
integrity.
The Atlas 25+ results and recent 1500V PID Free certification add to
First Solar’s growing list of extended module reliability accolades,
which include market-leading results in Thresher, Long Term Sequential
and IEC 60068 Desert Sand Resistance tests that independently confirm
suitability for sustained operation in the world’s harshest climates.
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic
(PV) solar systems which use its advanced module and system technology.
The company’s integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically
attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From
raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First
Solar’s renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment.
For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com.
For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant
to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements, among
other things, concerning: our business strategy, including anticipated
trends and developments in and management plans for our business and the
markets in which we operate; future financial results, operating
results, revenues, gross margin, operating expenses, products, projected
costs, warranties, solar module efficiency and balance of systems
("BoS") cost reduction roadmaps, restructuring, product reliability and
capital expenditures; our ability to continue to reduce the cost per
watt of our solar modules; our ability to reduce the costs to construct
photovoltaic ("PV") solar power systems; research and development
programs and our ability to improve the conversion efficiency of our
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negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current
expectations and our projections about future events. You should not
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake
no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any
reason. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual
results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed in Item
1A: "Risk Factors," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2013, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on
Form 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.
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