First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA – which manufactures thin-film photovoltaic modules based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) – has announced the release of its Series 3 FS-392 module, which is rated at 92.5 watts and maintains all the existing IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) certifications and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listings for the Series 3 family, including UL listing for 1000V systems.
“The FS-392 demonstrates the success of First Solar’s R&D investment to drive higher and higher module conversion efficiencies into production,” says Tom Kuster, VP of product management and system technology. “This increase in module efficiency, coupled with our thin-film technology's real-world yield advantage when compared to crystalline silicon PV, results in higher energy density and lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE),” he adds.
First Solar says that one of the drivers of its modules’ performance advantage over crystalline silicon solar modules is a lower temperature coefficient, delivering higher energy yields at elevated operating temperatures typical of utility-scale power plants in sunny regions.
