[RE-wrenches] CIS mods

[David Brearley]

It is confusing that they refer to this as a "light soaking" effect. When we worked on this thin film article in SolarPro magazine a couple years ago, a researcher at NREL referred to this specific phenomenon as a "dark soaking" effect (see discussion under "Performance Transients"):

http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP4_1_pg34_Holz

It is certainly possible for the Solar Frontier modules to have a better specific yield as compared to c-Si PV under certain environmental regimes. However, to suggest that this is always the case seems like overzealous marketing spin, which shouldn't really surprise anyone. There is a kernel of truth, but it is extrapolated ad absurdum.

Bill Brooks likes to tell this joke/cautionary tale: "You know how to tell when someone in marketing is lying? Their lips are moving." 

On Feb 18, 2013, at 6:25 PM, Kirpal Khalsa wrote:

> I don't understand the text as stated.....I am not sure if they are simply referring to a common effect in most thin film panels where for the first few months they can output more than ratings, and then they settle down to what they are rated for, or if they are saying that after a few months the output will increase, once they are "light soaked"?  
> -- 
> Sunny Regards,
> Kirpal Khalsa
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
> Renewable Energy Systems
> www.oregonsolarworks.com
> 
> On Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 4:13 PM, Marco Mangelsdorf <marco at pvthawaii.com> wrote:
> Yes, I saw that.  Sounds like smoke and mirrors to me.
>  
> marco
> 
> On Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 1:38 PM, Carl Emerson <Carl at solarking.net.nz> wrote:
> Marco.
> 
>  
> 
> Did you notice the claim in the text as follows…
> 
>  
> 
> The "Light Soaking" Effect
> Following an initial period of exposure to sunlight, the CIS light soaking effect will result in higher output than factory spec. This has been proven by field data from around the world
> 
>  
> 
> If correct this answers your question…
> 
>  
> 
> Time will tell I guess.
> 
>  
> 
> Regards
> Carl Emerson
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Aloha,
> 
>  
> 
> Solar Frontier in Japan, the maker of copper-indium-selenium (CIS) mods, claims that their product produces more kWhs per kW installed than crystalline silicon.
> 
>  
> 
> http://www.solar-frontier.com/eng/cis/index.html  If you go to the Softbank Field Results on the right tabs area you can download a 4-page PDF report.
> 
>  
> 
> I’m wondering if this is a hot-out-of-the-box phenomenon similar to some other non-cSi products and that after X months in the field the output stabilizes at a lower level.
> 
>  
> 
> Anyone have any idea or experience with this?
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> marco
> 
> 
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