First Solar's thin film is definitely part of the industry's early onset
under performance problem.
With monocrystalline under $1/watt, I just don't understand why big
projects are still going forward with thin film.
I would only use thin film for partial shading, or curved, odd shaped
surfaces. (RV roofs, not MW plants)
The bean counters are putting too much faith in warranties and spread
sheets, instead of looking at real life long term performance history.
PV's been around now for several decades; there's just no excuse to keep
repeating the same mistakes over again.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 5/31/2013 1:02 AM, Brian Teitelbaum wrote:
I don't know for sure, but the S. California installation in the
article is likely a large Unisolar installation down there.
However, since the article talks about Chinese modules, which are
mostly crystalline, I don't think thin film is the major problem, if
there really is one.
Not mentioned in the article is the possibility for micro-fracturing
of the cells being a major problem, especially since they are sliced
so thin these days, and generally shipped lying flat, which must cause
a lot of flexing during transport.
Brian Teitelbaum
AEE Solar
*From:*re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Carl
Emerson
*Sent:* Thursday, May 30, 2013 2:50 PM
*To:* 'RE-wrenches'
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Defective modules
Hi there,
Hilton's third question is important.
Are we seeing a rise in thin film failure or is this only mono and poly?
Regards
Carl Emerson
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:*re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of
*Hilton Dier III
*Sent:* 30 May 2013 1:09 a.m.
*To:* re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
*Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Defective modules
Greetings wrenches,
I'm sure many of you have seen this article in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers-dark-side.html?hp&_r=1&;
I have already gotten an email from a panicked client asking about
canceling his project.
First question: Has anybody dealt with defective modules lately, and
if so, what brands?
Second question: How much does this affect first-tier manufacturers
(Trina, Suntech, Yingli...) and how much of this is "no-name" brands?
Third question: Is this restricted to a particular technology such as
thin film?
And the big question: How do we deal with this? I can imagine the
fossil fuel and nuclear industries promoting this story with enthusiasm.
Thanks,
Hilton
--
Hilton Dier III
Renewable Energy Design
Partner, Solar Gain LLC
453 East Hill Rd.
Middlesex, VT 05602
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