Should we let him out of the dunce’s corner?
The world record for thin film solar cell efficiency recently announced by First Solar (17 percent thank you very much) has got the solar movers and shakers sitting up and taking notice. Even our very own Finn Peacock was seen nodding his head sagely at the news over his solar-powered coffee last week.
Long a supporter of crystalline solar panels over thin film solar the recent advancements have got Finn thinking he may have been too harsh in the past. For an insight into where Finn’s mind was at on the subject a few years ago, read this hard-hitting 29/12/2011 article.
But has our Finn been completely won over by the world record solar cell efficiency of thin film? Or is it a case of “let’s see shall we?” Never one to miss out on a good, developing solar story with an Aussie twist, your correspondent caught up with Finn at the virtual SQHQ water cooler. With notebook and biro in hand the following interview with Finn was recorded.
RB: Has the new world record solar cell efficiency of 17 per cent for thin film solar cell announced by First Solar last week changed your mind on the technology?
FP: Half of it has changed. It looks like thin film panels are now going to be a similar size to crystalline panels, which means you don’t need a roof the size of a football field to fit a decent size system on it. I’m still not convinced that this new technology has been proven to last 30 years in the Aussie sun though.
RB: First Solar has set an ambitious “module conversion efficiency roadmap” to 2017 when they hope to extend further their efficiency by up to 18.4 percent by 2016 and 18.9 percent in 2017. Without putting you too much on the spot, do you see this as achievable given recent developments?
FP: They seem to have met their predictions so far, so I think they will get there.
RB: In your 29th December, 2011 article for SolarQuotes you came down heavily on the side of crystalline solar panels over thin film technology. Has this development from First Solar closed the gap?
FP: They’ll get there one day. And yes this is a great step forward.
RB: More importantly, has it changed your mind over recommending crystalline over thin film for those looking to invest in solar panels?
FP: I’d still choose a good crystalline panel for my roof. Maybe I’m just being an old fashioned idiot but I know they work well and last. Also being a green tree hugger, I’m not comfortable with some of the nasty chemicals that go into thin film panels. God forbid if any of that leaches into the rainwater collected on many roofs.
RB: Finally what does this world record and efficiency targets mean for the (slightly-confused) solar punter looking to squeeze the best value out of their domestic solar system?
FP: The company First Solar don’t actually make panels for domestic installs any more as far as I’m aware; they concentrate on the utility scale solar power-station market. So nothing has changed. [I’d recommend you] go for a good quality crystalline panel from a reputable installer. Go for a well known brand and you will be fine. If no-one has heard of the brand, don’t go there. If you need my opinion on the brand, drop me an email. You’ll get a very straight answer.
RB: So there you have it, thanks Finn for delivering your assessment on the current state on thin film solar panels and in particular how this development relates to Australian solar punters. Nothing like a Finn spray to interpret the developments and cut through the confusion.
However most importantly we’d like to hear from you. Do you think the 17 percent efficiency record for thin film solar heralds the start of a “new dawn” for solar panels? Will First Solar’s achievements filter down into domestic solar systems? Or like Finn are you concerned about the environmental nasties and would prefer to wait and see?
In summary, is thin film solar a genius or joke? Breakthrough or bollocks? We await your answers either below or over at our fantastically interactive Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest or Twitter Pages.
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First Solar not the only thin film, German Thin Film in Australia now, Solarcorp Australia has been importing Avancis Powermax CIS thin film panels that have reached 20% efficiency in the lab.
Made in Germany to the highest standards installed with Fronius inverters (made in Austria), some say better than First Solar.
Not only for solar farms but great for domestic & commercial.
Check us out at http://www.solarcorpaustralia.com.au
Thanks for your contribution Graham! Any thoughts on the future of thin film for the average solar punter?
Much as I’m always interested in new developments, for reliability and durability and longevity an International truck beats a Ferrari hands down.
Thin-film may well become heavy-duty someday, but for now I’ll stick with what has the track-record.
If a small increase in output becomes all that important I’ll simply add a couple of cheaper-every-day mono panels.
Thanks Dabbbles. Sounds like you’re on Finn’s side on this issue! Anyone else with a different view? Anyone think that thin film may one day be the “go-to” technology for solar panels?
I have thin film but I’m not an evangelist for how good they are. Mine have lasted 8 years so far and still working fine. Just because they haven’t been around so long I think is irrelevant. They don’t have to be around for 50 years to be sure of a 25 year warranty as all these companies do advanced lifetime testing ie test at higher temps and higher exposure to predict the normal lifetime – otherwise all new products would take a long time to get to market. Of course manufacturers can fudge these figures but poly makers could do it just as well as thin film. I think the dye solar cells have much nigger issues with lifetime.
I think what is important is that manufacturers reveal all the real tech details and not just advertising hype. I can’t believe that the output from a solar cell doesn’t drop when a cloud covers the sun. There’s less radiation – it must drop! If a thin film is more tolerant of diffuse light – then produce some figures to show it.
Also I’m still interested in the embedded energy topic. As Si base cells are now made with Si produced specifically for them and not just the rejects from the IC industry, they need a lot more energy to produce. I know the embedded is still supposed to be recovered in <2years generally but does thin film have an advantage here ?