Series 7 modules combine First Solar’s thin film cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology with a larger form factor and an innovative new back rail mounting system to deliver improved efficiency, enhanced installation velocity, and unmatched lifetime energy performance for utility-scale PV projects. Developed in close collaboration with EPCs, structure and component providers, Series 7 modules are optimized for both form and function. Series 7 TR1 is Made in America exclusively for the US utility-scale market and further enhances lifetime energy for your large-scale projects.
Innovative Back Rail Mounting System
The Series 7 TR1 has galvanized steel back rails and next generation mounting methods will provide easier and quicker field operations resulting in up to 20% faster installation velocity, and up to 15% lower BOS costs vs. Series 6.
The added strength of galvanized steel allows Series 7 TR1 modules to be mounted closer to the center of rotation on a tracker, improving the mechanical efficiency of the motors and dampeners. This can significantly reduce BOS costs by enabling longer tracker rows for more watts per motor, dampener and torque tube.
First Solar’s proprietary manufacturing process and CdTe technology allow more form factor flexibility because it is not constrained by industry standard cell or wafer sizes. Along with the added strength and rigidity of galvanized steel back rails, the 1216mm x 2300mm module design optimizes form and function without fear of power loss from cell cracking or other performance-related issues prevalent in crystalline silicon modules.
More Lifetime Energy per Nameplate Watt
Series 7 modules feature the industry’s best 0.3% warranty-backed annual degradation rate, and boast a superior temperature coefficient, spectral and shading response – delivering more lifetime energy per installed watt compared to leading bifacial crystalline silicon PV panels.
A High-Quality Thin Film PV Module. Made in America, for America.
First Solar’s Series 7 TR1 CadTel photovoltaic (PV) modules combine the technological advances of Series 6 and Series 6 Plus PV modules with a larger form factor and innovative design features to create a next generation thin film module. Series 7 TR1 has been created specifically for the US utility-scale market to speed installation and reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of your PV project. Designed and manufactured in America, Series 7 TR1 modules are truly made in America, for America.
First Solar Series 6 and Series 6 Plus photovoltaic (PV) modules set the industry benchmark for reliable energy production, optimized design and environmental performance.
430 - 460 watts / up to 18.6% efficiency
First Solar Series 6 photovoltaic (PV) modules set the industry benchmark for reliable energy production, optimized design and environmental performance. The advanced design is optimized for every stage of your application, significantly reducing balance of system, shipping, and operating costs.
455 - 480 watts / up to 19.0% efficiency
First Solar Series 6 Plus photovoltaic (PV) modules set the industry benchmark for reliable energy production, optimized design and environmental performance. The advanced design is optimized for every stage of your application, significantly reducing balance of system, shipping, and operating costs.
455 - 480 watts / up to 19.0% efficiency
First Solar is once again setting the industry benchmark for reliable energy production, optimized design and environmental performance with Series 6 Plus Bifacial - the world’s first bifacial thin film CdTe module. The advanced design signficantly reduces balance of system, shipping, and operating costs while delivering more energy per nameplate watt.
First Solar engineers work with partners from some of the industry’s leading components and racking systems to go beyond mere compatibility. While First Solar is compatible with many third-party structures, those highlighted below are engineered to optimize First Solar technology.
First Solar utilizes an innovative thin film CadTel PV semiconductor that is advantaged against conventional silicon panels in many aspects.
The Advantages of CadTel PV
Technology From its inception, thin film Cadmium Telluride (CadTel) photovoltaic (PV) technology demonstrated a number of qualities that led First Solar to select it over conventional technologies, like crystalline silicon (c-Si). Qualities that included lower cost, superior scalability, and a higher theoretical efficiency limit. Over time, and with more than $1.5 billion invested in research and development, First Solar has also been able to harness other advantages that are unique to the semiconductor.
Thin film CadTel technology has come a long way over the past two decades, but its full potential has not yet been realized. Research and product development teams at First Solar forecast a thin film CadTel entitlement of 25% cell efficiency by 2025 and pathways to 28% cell efficiency by 2030.
Additionally, First Solar is a member of the Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium (CTAC), administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and funded by the US Department of EnergyÂs Solar Energy Technologies Office. CTAC is designed to support efforts to enhance US technology leadership and competitiveness in CadTel photovoltaics.
Working in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), researchers from First Solar have steadily set and broken numerous world records for CadTel cell efficiency and made other significant performance improvements over the past two decades.
In late 2020, First SolarÂs thin film CadTel PV technology reached a milestone after 25 years of continuously monitored performance testing, becoming the longest-running research project at NRELÂs Outdoor Test Facility (OTF) in Golden, Colorado. Out of all the photovoltaic technologies and manufacturers represented at the OTF, First Solar is the only one that is still in business today.