First Solar, America’s largest solar module producer (and the only manufacturer to bring thin-film solar to gigawatt scale), has always been a specialist in big utility solar and assiduously avoided distributed generation.
That’s now changed.
With over 25 GW of its cadmium telluride solar panels installed around the world, First Solar has now made the decision to pursue the distributed generation market, according to a blog post from today.
The same series 6 modules the company sells in the utility-scale market, are now available to the distributed generation (DG) market in the U.S. through its distribution partners: Graybar, Kinect Solar, and WESCO Distribution.
According to the company, these distributors will offer First Solar’s series 6 modules “to projects and customers of all shapes and sizes, so that they can power communities and businesses across America.”
First Solar claims that its PV modules are the most sustainable in the industry. Series 6 modules have the lowest carbon footprint, water use, and pollution footprint of any Tier 1 PV module, according to the vendor.
In other recent First Solar news, the company announced it would now be running with two co-chief technology officers, with the appointment of Markus Gloeckler to that position. Gloeckler joins Raffi Garabedian, who has served in that role since 2012. The appointment will allow Gloeckler to overlook all things Series 6, while Garabedian will focus on cadmium telluride technology development. First Solar just posted a strong Q2 and sold off its O&M business to NovaSource. Toledo Solar, a cadmium telluride newcomer, is also going after residential and commercial markets.
Darin Green, senior director of business development at First Solar, tells pv magazine, “While First Solar has a long history in the utility-scale space, there have been a number of instances of our technology being used for distributed generation applications both in the U.S. and abroad. The goal here is to offer American-designed PV technology to projects and customers of all shapes and sizes across the U.S. In other words, if you want to power community solar, C&I projects, schools, and municipal or military installations with First Solar technology, it is now available through our distributor partners.”
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Cadmium is toxic. I would never have them on my home or any public project.
You don’t have to worry about the cadmium – it’s inside the cells. The one thing I’d be concerned about is when the panels have reached the end of life, the recyclers might reject them. But they could be sold as used panels. BTW you probably have cadmium plated screws and other hardware in your home — it was very common.
I believe the fear is that with house fires there may be an issue with contamination.
I’m wondering if their utility markets are not soaking up enough production. They keep claiming that they’re booked up two years in advance, so how will they be able to supply a market that needs product within weeks, not months or years.
Sounds like a desperation move. Their current market can’t soak up the production so they diversify to another segment?
First solar panels are priced at a premium but unlike other premium panels their max eff is only at 18%. How will they compete in market where install space is a limitation?
Why is this info not on First Solar website
http://www.firstsolar.com/en/Resources/Blogs/FirstSolarServesDistributedGeneration
In future, I wonder if it will be legal to have this potentially uncontrolled disposal of lethal Cd. Here in Europe even tiny quantities in quantum dot TVs are banned and of course NiCd batteries were banned long ago. Alongside the Cd coming in by the back door there is Pb doing the same eg proposed perovskite solar paint is banned Pb paint coming in by the back door. Time to take a stand.
Rampant paranoia in many countries is the best explanation. In the US, Mercury is banned. But here in So California there is a hill named Red Hill, with houses all over and around it. The red dirt is caused by cinnabar, which is a mercury compound. I don’t see anyone complaining about it killing their plants or hurting anyone.
I want them on my roof. They have the only end-of-life recycling program in PV. Maybe I can get a guarantee to remove them when EOL is reached, leaving a pristine roof. That would be cool.
Me too Ken!
It would be interesting to know if they have a module-level shutdown solution to keep the array under 80 Volts for 690.12 compliance. Otherwise this may only be a ground-mount solution (in the US at least).
These aren’t meant for house rooftop. They are 80lbs/36kg each and measure 6.6ft/2009mm x 4ft/1232mm.
Also have a webpage at http://www.firstsolar.com/en/lp/DG
It will be interesting to see how the Distributed Generation Market will respond to First Solar series six panels. Are they that super? Can’t wait for their next earnings report.
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