Date: 20/01/2012

CdTe photovoltaic PV solar module efficiency of 14.4 % by First Solar

announced it set a new world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar module efficiency, achieving 14.4 percent total area efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) confirmed the record, which eclipsed the prior record of 13.4 percent, which also was set by First Solar.

First Solar said this record performance comes just six months after First Solar leapfrogged the world record for CdTe solar cell efficiency with a mark of 17.3 percent. Both the cell and module record-setters were constructed using commercial-scale manufacturing equipment and materials at the Company's Perrysburg, Ohio factory.

"This considerable achievement supports our module efficiency roadmap and demonstrates our ability to convert our record-cell technology into ongoing module-level improvements," said Dave Eaglesham, First Solar's Chief Technology Officer. "These records also underscore the tremendous ongoing potential of CdTe compared to silicon-based technologies."

"Our continuous investment in R&D has enabled the steady progress of our technology, punctuated by landmark achievements such as this," said Mike Ahearn, Chairman and interim CEO of First Solar. "Our consistent progress gives us confidence in our ability to achieve our roadmap goals, drive down costs and develop sustainable markets."