Thin-film solar module manufacturer First Solar has released details of a South Africa-focused study that seeks to highlight the energy-yield benefits of its solution when compared with other photovoltaic (PV) offerings.

The modelling was conducted by independent engineering consultancy Arup and examined the performance of the US group’s thin-film modules against those of top-tier poly- and mono-crystalline silicon PV modules.

The energy-yield assessment was completed for a hypothetical 84 MW plant at three different locations for both a fixed-axis and single-axis tracking mounting system.

The analysis factored in site-specific meteorological data, including temperature and humidity, across selected sites in Upington, Bloemfontein and Vryburg.

Arup reported that the modules offered a 1.3% energy-yield advantage over mono-crystalline silicon technology in a fixed-tilt configuration and as much as 4.2% more energy than poly-crystalline silicon panels.

Using single-axis trackers, First Solar’s modules were assessed to deliver 1.7% more energy than mono-crystalline silicon technology and 4.3% more than poly-crystalline panels.

Sub-Saharan Africa business development manager Laura Luckhurst said the objective of the study was to enable it to communicate the dollar-per kilowatt-hour advantages of its modules to a South African market that had hitherto focused mainly on the upfront capital panel costs.

The company’s modules had not yet been deployed in any of the solar PV projects selected following the first four bidding rounds under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

However, Luckhurst said the group remained a keen supporter of the REIPPPP model and that it remained optimistic of making inroads into both the South African utility and the commercial solar rooftop markets over the medium term.