Hi there,
Thin film is still getting bad press after early production suffered degradation issues way back in the 90's. There is plenty of evidence that thin film produces at least 10% more energy because it performs better at temperature and responds better to global irradiance. Some brands may be problematic today but this is equally true of crystalline modules. Sure the efficiency is down and more area is needed for the same rated power but some brands are delivering 20% more energy in some climates. As for degradation, I have seen crystalline BP's with every panel turning brown and clapping out after just 12 years in the pacific Islands. So let's be Brand specific and not lump all thin film together and tar it with the same brush, based on early failures 30 years ago. There are plenty of thin film Megawatt installations in Europe. Current issues backed up with hard data would be very useful. Regards Carl Emerson 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 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] On Behalf Of Hilton Dier III Sent: 30 May 2013 1:09 a.m. To: 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-d ark-side.html?hp <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers- dark-side.html?hp&_r=1&> &_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 _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
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