First Solar beats conversion efficiency record for CdTe solar cells

Feb 27, 2013 - US solar module maker First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR) said Tuesday it had achieved a record-breaking 18.7% conversion efficiency during tests of its cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.

The test results were confirmed by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The cell that broke the conversion efficiency record was produced with processes and materials that allow commercial-scale manufacturing. First Solar hopes to be able to successfully transfer this record-breaking efficiency to its commercial products in the near future.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the company’s average production module efficiency was 12.9%, compared with 12.2% in the same period of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the company's lead line was manufacturing modules with 13.1% efficiency, compared with 12.6% in 2011.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!