6 February 2012

Abound Solar produces 82.8W CdTe PV module

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module maker Abound Solar of Loveland, CO, USA has announced the production at its factory in Longmont, CO of 82.8W modules. This represents an aperture efficiency of 12.2%, as is being verified by the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The first 82W module was produced in early January on existing production equipment, and several hundred modules reaching that wattage have been manufactured so far. Abound expects to begin mass production of 82W modules in second-half 2012 and 85W modules in first-half 2013.

The achievement “underscores the tremendous capabilities of CdTe thin-film technology as a leading solution for competitive, reliable solar power made in the USA,” says president & CEO Craig Witsoe. “Abound’s R&D team continues to innovate, and we expect to continue increasing our module efficiency and performance,” he adds. “We believe thin-film will soon outpace other forms of PV in regards to cost-efficiency.”

Abound produced its one-millionth module in December. Expansion of the Longmont factory is currently underway, with further expansion efforts within the USA coming in 2013.

Tags: Abound Solar CdTe thin-film PV

Visit: www.abound.com