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Siemens Solar Thin-Film Photovoltaic Modules Exceed Calls it `Stunning'
`` With over 50 percent higher performance than other thin-film modules presently in the marketplace, this accomplishment demonstrates major progress toward Department of Energy (DOE) photovoltaic (PV) program goals and proves the outstanding performance for these new CIS PV products", said Chet Farris, Chief Operating Officer, Siemens Solar. ``The collaboration resulted in world-record module performance."``The increased efficiencies in solar technology brings us one step closer to the goal of developing this renewable energy resource for practical use in our everyday lives", said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. ``This joint effort between the Department of Energy and Siemens Solar is a concrete example of a public private partnership working to benefit American families." DOE goals move forward significantly with the introduction of this new CIS PV product. This new generation of thin-film products demonstrates practical efficiency (typically over 11 percent efficiency modules), long-term outdoor stability, and great potential for production cost reductions. For example, Siemens Solar delivered 32 one-by-four foot CIS modules, 1.2 kW, to upgrade the test array at the NREL Outdoor Test Facility in Golden, Colo. The NREL measured 11.4 percent average efficiency at standard test conditions which is the highest average module efficiency for any thin-film technology. The array efficiency is 40 percent above the closest thin-film contender. All the modules delivered to NREL far exceed the 10 percent DOE year 2000 goal for commercial CIS modules. James Rannels, Acting Director, Office of PV and Wind Technology, DOE, stated, ``This is an important research milestone and a stunning achievement." CIS research and development at Siemens Solar has been partially funded by the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This new thin-film product introduction is one example of the successful fulfillment of DOE and NREL efforts to move promising technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace. Ongoing programs at NREL in cooperation with companies such as Siemens Solar will support additional advancements. For example, Siemens Solar participates in national CIS R&D teams to accelerate key thin-film PV technology development. Siemens Solar recently announced the addition of large area ST20 (20 Wp) and ST40 (38 Wp) modules to the CIS product line. In 1998, Siemens Solar was the first company in the world to start CIS module production by introducing ST5 (5 Wp) and ST10 (10 Wp) modules. ST5, ST10 and ST20 modules are ideally suited to low power battery-charging applications, with the ST20 especially suitable for applications such in emergency telephones or telemetry systems. Higher power modules, like the ST40, are also used in grid-connected systems. Now, Siemens Solar thin-film CIS technology can be applied in applications where efficiency requirements previously limited options to crystalline silicon. The matte-black solar module, which is particularly homogeneous in appearance, also opens up new possibilities for architects and designers of PV systems integrated with building facades. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the nation's leading laboratory for renewable energy research and technology development. The record setting one-foot by four-foot modules were developed in collaboration with NREL as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Thin-film Photovoltaics Partnership Program. The Siemens Solar Group is the world's leading manufacturer in the photovoltaic industry. As such, they have the technical and marketing capability to make their new technology a global success. The Siemens Solar Group is comprised of Siemens Solar GmbH in Munich, Germany (a joint venture of Siemens AG and Bayernwerk AG); Siemens Solar Industries, a limited partnership in Camarillo, California; and two joint ventures, Siemens Showa Solar Ltd. in Singapore, and Showa Solar Energy K.K. in Tokyo, Japan. For more information, see www.siemenssolar.com. # # #
Note to editors: Digital photo of the NREL Solar array in Golden, Colo., is available. Contact: |
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