GE Claims Highest Reported Efficiency for CdTe Thin Film Solar and Reveals Plans to Build US Manufacturing Plant
Source/Type: News - Staff reports

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

April 11, 2011... GE reports that its full-size cadmium telluride thin-film solar panel achieved 12.8 percent aperture area efficiency. The achievement was independently certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The company plans to manufacture the solar panels at a new 400 MW per year U.S. factory that the company intends to build as part of an expected $600 million plus investment into the commercialization of solar technology.

The company also announced the acquisition of power conversion technology company, Converteam. Additionally, GE recently completed the acquisition of PrimeStar Solar, Inc., a company in which GE held a majority stake in since 2008. The solar panel was produced at PrimeStar Solar's 30-MW manufacturing line that GE acquired in Arvada, Colorado.

“Over the last decade, through technology investment, GE has become one of the world’s major wind turbine manufacturers, and our investment in high-tech solar products will help us continue to grow our position in the renewable energy industry,” said Victor Abate, vice president of GE’s renewable energy business. “We are addressing the biggest barrier for the mainstream adoption of solar technology—cost—and the NREL certification proves that we are on track to deliver the most affordable solutions for our customers.” “Milestones like these are pivotal as the United States looks to drive widespread adoption of solar technologies,” said Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at NREL. The NREL reportedly transitioned the technology to PrimeStar through a cooperative research and development agreement signed in 2007.

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