Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) solar panels (also known as Photovoltaic, or PV, modules) generate more kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity than Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) or any other solar technologies over the course of a year. This is because a-Si PV modules function for more hours per day (i.e., able to function beyond the peak sun hours), function better during cloudy days and, especially, maintain performance better in high temperatures versus c-Si and other PV modules.
As a result, a 1kW PV system comprised of thin-film a-Si modules will generate more kWh of electricity per year than a 1kW PV system comprised of conventional PV modules, ranging from 6% additional power in seasonal climates with warm summers but very long periods of cold weather to as much as 20% additional power in high-temperature climates (characteristic of all the world’s locations where sunlight levels are highest).
Following are excerpts from a variety of field performance studies that demonstrate the power production advantage of thin-film a-Si PV modules in virtually every type of climate:
Field performance data for 112kW Amorphous Silicon PV system in Mannheim, Germany. Shows 16% greater power production of Amorphous Silicon compared to PV Watts rating for 112kW Crystalline Silicon PV system by U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL)
Field performance data for 200kW Amorphous Silicon PV system in Rocklin, California, north of Sacramento, where the climate is mild (winters = 45-50° F, summers = 70-75° F). Shows average 10% greater power production of Amorphous Silicon compared to PV Watts predictive model rating for 200kW Crystalline Silicon PV system by NREL
Comparative performance of Amorphous Silicon PV system versus Crystalline Silicon PV System in Newark, New Jersey. Shows Amorphous Silicon producing 6.5% more energy per year than Crystalline Silicon.
Japan New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and Ritsumeikan University comparative field test and operational analysis of different PV modules installed at Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
Comparative annual energy yields of PV power generation systems comprised of thin-film Amorphous Silicon PV modules versus Crystalline Silicon PV modules in Spain and the UK. Shows Amorphous Silicon out-producing Crystalline Silicon by 11% in the UK and by 14% in Spain.
Comparative estimated lifetime energy yields of PV power generation systems comprised of thin-film Amorphous Silicon PV modules versus Crystalline Silicon PV modules in Spain and the UK. Shows Amorphous Silicon out-producing Crystalline Silicon by 10.5% in the UK and by 16.7% in Spain.
Comparison of Amorphous Silicon PV system versus Crystalline Silicon PV system on a typical clear summer day in Florida. Shows Amorphous Silicon out-producing Crystalline Silicon by 30%
Comparison of average cumulative output of Amorphous Silicon PV system versus Crystalline Silicon PV system from June to October in Florida. Illustrates the economic benefit of Amorphous Silicon producing 20% more energy during utility peak rate periods than Crystalline Silicon, resulting in avoidance of 20% more of the cost for grid-supplied energy at the most expensive peak rate tier.
Comparison of cumulative output of Amorphous Silicon PV system versus Crystalline Silicon PV system for one year in Florida. Shows Amorphous Silicon out-producing Crystalline Silicon by 18%
These studies from different research sources all confirm that PV systems comprised of thin-film Amorphous Silicon PV modules produce more energy per year and per most days (from 6% to as much as 30%) than PV systems comprised of traditional Crystalline Silicon (mono and poly) wafer-based PV modules in a wide variety of climates around the world, ranging from highly seasonal (e.g., Mannheim, Germany) to mild (e.g., Rocklin, California) to tropical (e.g., Florida).
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