First Solar Sets Record for CdTe Solar PV Efficiency

First Solar, Inc. FSLR today announced it set a new world record for cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic solar cell efficiency, reaching 17.3 percent with a test cell constructed using commercial-scale manufacturing equipment and materials. The test cell's performance, confirmed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), far surpassed the previous record of 16.7 percent set in 2001. “This is a significant milestone that demonstrates the ongoing potential of our advanced thin-film technology,” said Dave Eaglesham, Chief Technology Officer at First Solar. “This leap forward in R&D supports our efficiency roadmap for our production modules and will recalibrate industry expectations for the long-term efficiency potential of CdTe technology.” “This achievement is a direct result of our industry-leading investment in research and development and our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Rob Gillette, CEO of First Solar. “First Solar's innovation in both module technology and balance of systems engineering continues to drive us closer to grid parity.”