First Solar Modules: Redefining Solar Energy with Advanced Thin-Film Technology

Products

Series 6 Solar Modules

The Series 6 is a breakthrough product for First Solar, combining large-format thin-film PV technology with enhanced efficiency and cost-effective performance for utility-scale installations.

Key Features:

1. Thin-Film Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Technology:

   • Like all First Solar modules, Series 6 uses CdTe semiconductor technology, which offers advantages in performance, particularly in high temperatures and low-light environments.

2. Large Format:

   • The Series 6 panels have a larger form factor compared to earlier versions, allowing fewer modules to be installed per megawatt (MW), which reduces installation costs.

3. High Efficiency:

   • Series 6 panels have improved conversion efficiency, typically ranging between 18% to 19%, depending on the module variant and production updates.

4. Performance in Challenging Conditions:

   • The thin-film technology in Series 6 outperforms traditional crystalline silicon modules in hot, humid, and dusty conditions, making them ideal for regions with extreme weather.

5. Lower Balance of System (BoS) Costs:

   • Due to their large size and higher energy yield, Series 6 modules require fewer racks, wiring, and other components, reducing overall system costs for utility-scale solar installations.

6. Environmentally Friendly:

   • Series 6 panels are made with a lower carbon footprint and are easier to recycle compared to conventional solar modules. The panels also use fewer materials, resulting in a reduced environmental impact.

Series 7 Solar Modules

The Series 7 modules represent First Solar’s latest advancement in PV technology, building on the strengths of Series 6 but offering even greater energy yield and operational efficiency.

Key Features:

1. Next-Generation Thin-Film Technology:

   • Like Series 6, Series 7 uses CdTe thin-film technology but with further refinements to improve energy yield, durability, and system performance.

2. Larger Form Factor:

   • Series 7 modules are larger than Series 6, which enables even more MW capacity per panel. This allows for faster installation times and lower labour costs on-site.

3. Higher Efficiency:

   • Series 7 offers improved module efficiency, ranging from 19% to 20%, which provides a higher energy output per panel. This makes the Series 7 ideal for large-scale solar farms that demand the highest possible energy production.

4. Optimized for Utility-Scale:

   • With an optimized form factor and superior performance in harsh environmental conditions, Series 7 modules are tailored for utility-scale projects in a variety of climates, from hot deserts to colder regions.

5. High Wattage Output:

   • Series 7 modules have a significantly higher wattage output than Series 6, providing more energy per module and reducing the number of panels needed for large solar farms. This contributes to lower installation and maintenance costs.

6. Advanced Durability and Reliability:

   • These modules are designed to withstand harsh conditions, such as extreme heat, humidity, and wind, ensuring long-term reliability and consistent power generation over their lifespan.

7. Reduced Carbon Footprint:

   • Like its predecessor, Series 7 focuses on environmental sustainability, featuring a lower carbon footprint and recyclability. First Solar emphasizes a responsible lifecycle for its panels, from manufacturing to end-of-life recycling.

Technical Specifications

Comparative Benefits of Series 6 and Series 7:

1. The Series 7 modules offer higher efficiency compared to Series 6.

2. Series 7 modules have a larger form factor and higher wattage output compared to Series 6.

3. Series 7 introduces an innovative back rail mounting system with galvanized steel, which is different from the anodized aluminium frame of Series 6.

4. Both series maintain the industry-leading 0.3% warranted annual degradation rate and a 30-year linear performance warranty.

5. Series 7 is specifically designed for the US utility-scale market, while Series 6 has a more global application

Real-World Performance

1. Temperature Coefficient: One of the standout features of First Solar's Series 6 and Series 7 modules is their superior performance in high-temperature environments compared to traditional silicon-based panels. This is largely due to the modules' temperature coefficient, which measures the impact of temperature on energy production. Silicon-based modules tend to lose efficiency when temperatures rise, as they are more sensitive to heat, typically losing around 0.4% to 0.5% efficiency per degree Celsius increase.

First Solar’s CdTe thin-film technology has a better temperature coefficient, typically around -0.28% per °C, meaning it loses less energy in hot conditions. This lower sensitivity to temperature allows both Series 6 and Series 7 modules to maintain higher energy output in desert regions or other high-temperature environments, such as the southwestern United States or parts of the Middle East. This makes them ideal for large-scale solar farms in regions where heat would otherwise limit energy production.

2. Energy Yield in Different Climates: First Solar's thin-film modules excel in diverse climatic conditions. Their performance in low-light and diffuse light conditions is superior to traditional crystalline silicon panels. This means they generate more energy during overcast days or in the morning and late afternoon when sunlight is less direct. This can lead to higher overall energy production, especially in regions with frequent cloud cover.

In humid environments, such as Southeast Asia or coastal regions, the CdTe technology also outperforms silicon panels, which can suffer from higher degradation in such conditions. Both Series 6 and Series 7 panels resist degradation from humidity and dust, which further contributes to their long-term performance in harsh environmental conditions.

For desert environments, where extreme heat and dust can impair energy production, the thin-film technology shows resilience and consistent energy yield over time. These real-world conditions emphasize how Series 6 and Series 7 modules outperform silicon-based alternatives in terms of annual energy yield, especially in locations with variable or challenging climates.

Cost Efficiency and ROI

1. Initial Installation Costs: Both Series 6 and Series 7 modules have a larger form factor compared to many conventional silicon panels. The larger size allows for fewer panels to be installed per megawatt (MW) of energy generation, which directly translates into lower installation costs. Fewer modules mean less time and labour are required to complete installations, reducing overall project timeframes.

The larger panels also reduce the amount of racking, wiring, and other infrastructure required, as fewer connections and support structures are needed. This leads to significant savings in material and labour costs for utility-scale solar projects.

2. Balance of System (BoS) Savings: The reduced number of modules required for a given energy output significantly lowers Balance of System (BoS) costs. BoS refers to the non-module costs involved in a solar power project, including racking, inverters, wiring, and installation labour. Since Series 6 and Series 7 modules produce more power per panel, fewer supporting materials are needed, leading to savings of up to 5-10% in BoS costs.

This is particularly valuable in utility-scale solar farms where hundreds or thousands of panels are involved. The larger modules also reduce the number of electrical connections and wiring, which simplifies the system's design and reduces the likelihood of future maintenance issues.

3. Return on Investment (ROI): The combination of higher energy yield, especially in hot, low-light, and humid environments, along with reduced installation and BoS costs, leads to a faster ROI for Series 6 and Series 7 solar farms. Typical ROI periods for utility-scale projects using these modules range from 5 to 8 years, depending on the specific location and energy prices.

In regions with high solar irradiance, such as deserts or sunbelt areas, ROI tends to be faster due to the higher energy production rates. Additionally, long-term performance stability, coupled with a 30-year warranty, ensures that investors and project developers can rely on consistent energy output and reduced maintenance costs, further improving the ROI over the lifetime of the installation.

Pricing

Pricing Factors

• First Solar uses cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film technology, which has allowed them to achieve lower production costs compared to traditional crystalline silicon panels.

• As one of the largest solar manufacturers globally, First Solar benefits from economies of scale.

• Pricing can fluctuate based on supply and demand in the solar market.

Competitive Positioning

First Solar's thin-film technology has historically given them a cost advantage. In 2010, First Solar's module cost was $0.67 per watt, compared to an average of $1.85 per watt for crystalline-silicon PV modules.

This cost advantage has narrowed over time as crystalline silicon technology has also improved.

Current Pricing

While exact pricing can vary based on volume, location, and specific product, a general price range for First Solar's Series 6 modules is approximately $0.46 per watt.