Cadnium Teller Solar Panels

Abound solar was a manufacturer of cadmium telluride modules a thin film photovoltaic technology based in the united states.

Cadnium teller solar panels.

Cadmium telluride while considered less dangerous in relation to acute exposure is toxic if ingested improperly handled or the dust inhaled. It could be the future of solar. Cadmium telluride cdte photovoltaics or also called cadmium telluride solar cell is a kind of photovoltaic pv technology that can produce electricity from sunlight using a thin film of compound cadmium telluride to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity. One main energy producing layer made from the compound cadmium telluride and surrounding layers for electricity conduction and collection.

The company was incorporated as ava solar in 2007 and was rebranded as abound solar in march 2009. Cdte thin film panels are made from several thin layers. Approximately 90 of most pv modules are made up of glass. In this video i will explain what cadmium telluride or cdte solar panels are all abou.

Worse rainwater can wash many of these toxics out of the fragments of solar modules over time. They also contain lead cadmium and other toxic even carcinogenic chemicals that cannot be removed without breaking apart the entire panel. Cadmium telluride cdte is the most common type of thin film solar cell in production. In relation to solar panels the cdte is safe while encapsulated in the module but if the panel is damaged and exposed to water the cadmium telluride could leach into the water.

Cadmium telluride is a direct bandgap material with bandgap energy of about 1 45 defined ev which is well matched to the solar spectrum and nearly optimal for converting sunlight into electricity using a single junction. What is cdte and why should i care. On a lifecycle basis cdte pv has the smallest carbon footprint lowest water use and shortest energy payback time of any current photo voltai. It operated a production facility in longmont colorado.

As the second most common photovoltaic technology on the market behind traditional crystalline silicon cadmium telluride cdte panels are already a viable thin film solar panel solution. Solar panels often contain lead cadmium and other toxic chemicals that cannot be removed without breaking apart the entire panel. First solar a us based manufacturer makes attractive pv modules that can be used in home applications.