Solar Frontier CIS Module

Solar Frontier CIS moduleNovember, 2011Greg Ashley

About Solar Frontier 100% subsidiary of Showa Shell Sekiyu, with 110 years experience inenergy 30 years experience in solar 1,000 employees Offices in Tokyo, Munich, Santa Clara 2010 80 MW production rising to 980 MW from 2011 Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley

Solar Frontier HistoryOil crisis sparksTechnicaljoint solar projectpartnershipwith Japanesewith Arco SolargovernmentLaunchedShowa ArcoSolar JV withArco Solar198119741986R&D crystalline-Si1978Showa Shellstarts PVR&D Solar Frontier K.K.Showa ArcoSolar renamedShowa onShell SolaracquiredSiemens Solar1987Co-foundedJPEANewCommitment CommercialGlobal Nameto CISproduction inproductionMiyazaki Plant 1 Solar Frontier2005200320072010CIS1993Start CISresearchfundedby panestablished2009Production at2nd plant begins;Atsugi R&DCenter opens20111GW ScalelaunchedSolar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley2

New Factory Opened in FebruaryFull Scale Production started in July, 2011 Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley

We Have Unique TechnologyThe Photovoltaic CdWithCdChallengedby housLowerefficiencythan hinfilmHITMultiJunction(tandem)Spheric-SiLower performanceratio than CISNotcommercializedLongermanufacturingprocess thanCISSolar Frontier’s CIS modules do not contain cadmium orleadRAC10-0042 01 Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley4

What is CIS?CIS is a thin-film compoundsemiconductor PV consisting ofthree major elements:Cu CopperIn IndiumSe SeleniumSometimes called “CIGS” sinceportions of In are replaced by GaCuSe**In*Crystal structure of CIS（Chalcopyrite structure）* Partially Ga** Partially S Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley5

CIS Market ShareAmorphousSi/Thin filmSi, 796, 7%2009CIGS,426, 2%CIGS, 166,2%StandardCrysalline Si,8020, 75% Solar Frontier K.K.2010CdTe,1438, 6%SuperMonocrystalline, 920,4%SuperMonocrystalline, 653, CdTe, 1019,6%10%TechnologyStandard Crysalline SiSupoer MonocrystallineCdTeCIGSAmorphous Si/Thin film SiTotalAmorphousSi/Thin filmSi, 1349,5%2009802065310191667961065420102010/2009 224%StandardCrysallineSi, 19768,83%Source: GTM Research 2010/2011Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley6

General View of “Thin Film” Low efficiency: Commercially available CIS modules have an efficiency over13% and on track to be greater than 14% ( c-Si) Thin Film Frameless: CIS modules have framed and frameless types available. Polarity Sensitive (Negative grounding required): Negative grounding is required only for superstrate structure(CdTe, a-Si) where TCO is deposited on cover glass. CIS is not polarity sensitive (substrate structure) Initial degradation (LID): CIS does not have initial LID as a-Si. On the contrary, CIS hasinitial output improvement ( 5-10%) by light soaking effect.CIS (or CIGS) is not the same as CdTe or a-Si. Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley7

CIS is Thin Film Efficiency .754m2 14.7% Solar Frontier K.K.AnnouncedDec. 2010Mar. 2011Jun. 2011Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley8

Product Development Roadmap18%17.2%16.3%Achieved13%Module Efficiency14%12%Shipping11%20102014 Solar Frontier K.K.201120122013Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley

World Record EfficiencyEfficiency (%)17.20Voc (cell/V)0.693Jsc (mA/cm2)34.60Fill Factor0.716Area (cm2)808 Module efficiency of 17.20% achieved at the Atsugi ResearchCenter on 30 cm X 30 cm module Highest thin-film module efficiency in the world Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley

SF155Dimensions: 49.5 x 38.5 x 1.4inch(1,257 x 977 x 35 mm)Pmax: 155 WPTC : 140.4WEfficiency: 12.6%Frame: Anodized AluminumAlloy Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley11

CIS Module StructureTempered Cover glassTCOBufferLight-Absorbinglayer layerMo electrodeGlassBacksheetEncapsulantCIS substrate1. Proven Technology forDurability Encapsulant Cover glass and backsheetAluminum frame (less risk ofglass damage, l durability2. Not Polarity sensitiveCover glassSuperstrate type (a-Si, CdTe)Superstrate glassSealing materialCISEncapsulantFrame Solar Frontier K.K.BacksheetTCOa-Si or CdTeEncapsulant Backside cover (glass)Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley12

Change of Pmax(1.0 nominal output)No Initial LID (Light Induced Degradation) LIDCIS output improves after installation due to Light Soaking effectThe improvement usually ranges between 5-10%.Source: AIST ( National Institute of) Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Mr. Otani, 6th Annual Symposium of Research Center forPhotovoltaics, Aug 8-9, 2010, Tsukuba, Japan. Using SPI-SUN simulator 1116N Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley13

Other Benefits High performance ratio Light Soaking Effect, Broader Spectra Response andTemperature Coefficient increase Performance RatioNOTE: Performance ratio PR (%)Performance ratio means “the relationship between actual yield and target yield”Actual output from installed capacity (kWh)Installed Capacity (kW)xActual Radiation (kWh/m2)1 sun (1kW/m2) Ecological Non-toxic (contains no Cd and uses Pb-free solder) Reusable packaging and reduced on-site waste Lower overall energy consumption in the manufacturing process(less than 1 year energy payback time) Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley14

Thin Film Performs BestMarch 18, 2010 Shyam Mehta Thin Film 2010: Market Outlook to2015 Executive Summary Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley15

Comparison between CIS and c-SiArrayAtsugi Research Center1/7/2009 31/10/2010CIS: 2.25 kWPoly-Si: 4.20 kWMono-Si: 2.10 kW20 (South East) Tilt:20 Inverter Eff.94.5% Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley16

Performance Comparison between CIS and CdTeFeb, 2011 June, 2011Array- Site:Atsugi Research Center- Data period:February 2011 June 2011Total Irradiation: 630 kW/m296.1%92.0%89.9%CIS: 3.12 kW86.6%CdTe: 3.6 kW0 (South) Tilt:20 Inverter Eff.94.5%Module type- CIS (Solar Frontier)SF-130 (130W)- CdTe (75W)Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley17

Effect of EfficiencyModule Price to keep same kWh cost (14.4% is 100%)120%Relative Module Price (per Wp)110%100%c-Si 30%20%10%Assumption: 5MW ground mount, fixed BOS 0.75/Wp and area dependent BOS 1.33/WpIf the module efficiency is only variable (same physical size, same performance ratio etc.)0%10.0%11.0%12.0%13.0%14.0%15.0%Module Efficiency Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley18

Importance of Performance RatioModule Price to keep same kWh cost (c-Si price is 100%)120%Relative Module Price (per Wp)110%SF150SF155SF140SF145100%90%SF160 5% PR( 5%kWh)c-Si 1.0%11.8 12.212.0%12.613.013.0%4.76MW CIS systemdelivers the same kWh as5MW c-Si System14.0%15.0%Module Efficiency Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley19

Actual Data from Arizona 12month Total (4/1/2010-3/1/2011) CIS produce over 15%.kWh/kWpDC-PR Solar Frontier K.K.p-Si (13.44kW)1727.679.4p-Si (6.4kW)1745.880.8CIS (9.36kW)2018.193.1Irradiation (kWh/m2)2175.1Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley20

Shadow Tolerance Under partially shaded conditions, the unique patterning ofCIS modules keeps the drop of output to a minimumshadowCIS8060CISPm (W)There is a partial loss of output but theoverall effect is minimum40c-Si20shadowc-Si00204060Shade Area (%)80100The module’s output drops significantlyunder partial shadowThe data presented in this document is the proprietary information of Solar Frontier K.K. and is intended for discussion purposes only.Solar Frontier does not intend to warranty any data beyond the performance specifications of CIS modules as indicated in their respective specificationSolar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley datasheets.Solar Frontier K.K.21

Energy Payback CIS Energy Payback Time (EPT): the time required for a module togenerate the amount of energy spent in its production CIS modules have a faster EPT than conventional siliconSource: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley22

Ground mount and rooftop systems Solar Frontier K.K.Kolitzheim, Germany (550 kWp)Coalinga, California (1.2 MWp)Schwabach, Germany (385 kWp)Nissan Motors Headquarters, Japan (40 kWp)Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley23

Rooftop Systems Solar Frontier K.K.Commercial rooftop, JapanCommercial rooftop, ItalyResidential rooftop, GermanyResidential rooftop, AustraliaSolar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley24

Selected Reference CasesGunkul Megawatt Project, ThailandDate onstream January 2011System capacity 3.3 MWpPanel type 85 WNo. of panels 38,688Panel angle &15 , South 0 orientationOutput Jan. Mar.1,334,260 kWh2011Estimated CO2715 tonnesreductionAlmeria Megawatt Project, SpainDate onstream February 2010Date onstream End 2011System capacity 10 MWpPanel type variousNo. of panels 126,000Panel angle &5 , variousorientation15,000,000Estimated outputkWh/yrEstimated CO2 11,000reduction tonnes/yrYukigunigata Megasolar, Niigata, JapanDate onstreamSeptember2010System capacity 1 MWSystem capacity 1 MWPanel type 85 WPanel type 80 WNo. of panels 11,850No. of panels 12,528Panel angle &25 , South 0 orientation1,356,231Estimated outputkWh/yrEstimated CO2529 tonnesreduction Solar Frontier K.K.North Park Project, Saudi ArabiaPanel angle & 20 & 30 ,orientation South 0 Output Sep.-Nov.376,586 kWh2010CO2 reduction 169 tonnesSolar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley25

Thank You! Solar Frontier K.K.Solar Frontier CIS November 2011 Greg Ashley

Energy Payback Time (EPT): the time required for a module to generate the amount of energy spent in its production CIS modules have a faster EPT than conventional silicon 0.5 1 1.5 Crystalline Silicon Amorphous Si