First Bifacial CdTe Solar Module

• First Solar has announced having developed the world's 1^st bifacial thin film solar PV module
• It uses a self-developed transparent backsheet for the new module that's based on its Series 6 Plus monofacial module platform
• The module is currently undergoing field and laboratory testing, but First Solar has started a limited production run for the same
• An Indian daily has reported Saint Gobain to be building a glass unit for First Solar's captive use for its 3.3 GW India fab

American cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology company First Solar, Inc has unveiled what it says is the world's 1^st bifacial thin film PV module, based on Series 6 Plus monofacial module platform, for which it has started a limited production run.

The module has an advanced thin film semiconductor. It uses a transparent backcontact, developed internally, for the new module to bring in bifacial aspect and enable infrared wavelengths to pass through rather than be absorbed as heat. First Solar claims this is expected to lower the operational temperature of the bifacial module, thereby generating higher yield.

According to the company, its Series 6 Plus module does not experience losses from light induced degradation (LID) and light and elevated temperature induced degradation (LeTID).

The bifacial module is currently undergoing field and laboratory testing. It is currently on display at the Intersolar Europe 2023 in Munich, Germany.

"Once commercialized, we expect Series 6 Plus Bifacial to represent the first real alternative to crystalline silicon-based bifacial technology, effectively combining bifaciality with the industry's best warranted degradation rate, CdTe thin film's ability to deliver more energy per nameplate watt, best-in-class reliability and durability, and innovative module design," said First Solar Chief Product Officer Pat Buehler.

First Solar is building its new R&D innovation center in Perrysburg, Ohio for the company to develop and produce its advanced thin film PV modules. The fab is scheduled to come online in 2024. It will have a high-tech pilot manufacturing line for the production of full sized prototypes of thin film and tandem PV modules (see First Solar's Q3/2022 Sales Up YoY, Yet Suffers Net Loss).

Meanwhile, France headquartered glass maker Saint Gobain is reported by Indian newspaper The Hindu to be putting up a captive thin glass manufacturing unit at its World Glass Complex in Sriperumbudur for captive use of First Solar that's building a 3.3 GW module factory in Tamil Nadu (see First Solar To Build 3.3 GW Thin Film Solar Fab In India).