triple junction vs single crystalline [RE-wrenches]

[Mick Abraham]

Keith Cronin wrote:
 
"I got the call from a client that wanted to utilize a roofing solar
integrated material and that they were told it is by far better than 
single crystalline."

Mick says: The "triple-junction" product mentioned is obviously 
Uni-Solar brand. (I have no involvement with or financial interest in 
that company.) Re: Uni-Solar's claim of higher kWh delivery per 
installed watt, see some of the white papers on their website: 
http://www.uni-solar.com/interior.asp?id=49

Uni-Solar claims: (1) thin film loses less voltage with heat compared to 
crystalline (2) unusual bypass diode configuration reduces the energy 
penalty for partial shading (3) with no crystalline structure, the 
amorphous material receives light better when the incident angle is bad.

As I review the above information, I ask myself: why has it been so long 
since I sold much Uni-Solar product? Don't I want to offer the most 
bounce per buck? I've never had any reported reliability problems from 
my US-64 customers, so I see no fault in that area. Possible reasons why 
I've been ho-hum about Uni-Solar in recent years:

(1) The Uni-Solar product surely is manufactured at a lower cost per 
watt than a glass/crystal product, yet the purchase cost per watt is as 
much or more. This bugs me...aren't all PV manufacturers supposed to 
operate on marginal profits as they try to gain market share? If I can 
buy glass/crystal for closer to the cost of production, that appeals to 
the bargain hunter in us all.

(2) Glass/crystal has more eye appeal and sparkle when showing product 
to a client, and the rigid glass modules don't twist in the hands. Just 
as people tend to want the fastest computer processors, they seem to 
prefer solar technology that packs higher rated wattage into every 
square foot. 

Keith: if you challenge the client to hold the Uni-Solar roofing 
material in their hands then similarly handle the glass/crystal product 
up close, that experience could swing the client back in favor of 
glass/crystal. Be sure to report back if this should occur. 
Glass/crystal seems to give a greater impression of permanence. Maybe 
this is only psychological, but the way people think does matter.

(3) Assuming modules instead of roofing, the bigger size per watt of the 
Uni's translates into more costly mounting racks, and a bigger impact on 
the landscape. Uni-Solar also costs more per watt for shipping, but if 
the PV's are part of the roof, these negatives are minimized.

(4) Uni-Solar supply got bad around Y2K, and if I had talked up thin 
film to a client but couldn't get any US-64's there were no comparable 
substitutes. If I talk up glass/crystal instead, many similar products 
could fit right in. It's easier to shift gears if I stay inside the 
glass/crystal box.

(5) Prospective buyers don't seem to ask me for the Uni-Solar brand as 
they once did. The number of wholesale suppliers for Uni-Solar seems to 
be fewer these daze, as well.

I hope this will be helpful information for Keith & others.

Mick Abraham
Abraham Solar Equipment
Pagosa Springs, CO
www.abrahamsolar.com


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