So thin film may not be dead after all? As I wrote before, its all about whether or not they can catch up to the delta of efficiency and now the reduced delta of cost. Well First Solar seems to be the one to watch as they claim a 17% lab module with ensuing 15% production, coming in the next quarter, while upstart Stion reports a 15% is within quick site.
This is a game changer for them, but also for other thin film hopefuls. By reducing the added balance of system costs that thin film modules usually require, plus added landscape, First Solar and Stion bring thin film production costs and the better real-world outputs as competitive bars against which other thin film producers will be measured.
When you decide to get into thin film production, you’d better be ready to play with the big guns…or you’ll be squashed. Other announcements today showed prices of US$1.20 for german produced 6% amorphous technology, while similar product is offered from China today at $0.90? The only people that can do that is those that have a different corporate agenda to do so and who can absorb all of that production, while justifying somehow paying $0.30 more than Chinese product costs…
Sass