THIN FILM SETS NEW RECORD

United Solar Announces NREL Measurement of World Record 12% Efficient Thin-Film Silicon Cell; Large-Area Solar Cell Uses Proprietary Nano-Crystalline™ Silicon Technology * Potential to Reduce Cost of Generating Solar Electricity by 20%
1 February 2011 (Globe Newswire via World of Photovoltaics)

"United Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER) and manufacturer of UNI-SOLAR® brand photovoltaic (PV) laminates…announced that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed an initial 12% conversion efficiency of a large-area solar cell using UNI-SOLAR's proprietary Nano-Crystalline™ silicon. To date, this is the highest large-area cell efficiency confirmed by NREL for thin-film silicon PV technology.

"United Solar has worked with NREL for more than two decades in the research and development of advanced thin-film PV technologies…"

from Solar Novus Today (click to enlarge)

"The record-setting cell efficiency with an area of 400 square centimeters was encapsulated in UNI-SOLAR's proprietary thin-film polymer. UNI-SOLAR's triple-junction technology incorporates Nano-Crystalline silicon layers on a flexible stainless steel substrate and increases the cell's efficiency by about 50%, relative to current UNI-SOLAR cells in production…

"United Solar's technology roadmap takes this ground-breaking technology into commercial production in 2012. The technological advancement drives meaningful reductions in the cost of installing a UNI-SOLAR solar energy system and will reduce the cost of generating solar electricity by over 20%. Ultimately, the company expects to offer solar energy systems that are capable of providing electricity at a cost below the utility grid…"