100 Gigawatts Of CdTe Thin Film Solar Possible By 2030

The article discusses a recent study outlining a pathway for the United States to produce 100 gigawatts (DC) of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film solar panels annually by 2030. CdTe thin film solar technology differs from traditional silicon solar cells by using a solution-based process to deposit thin layers of cadmium telluride on glass sheets, offering advantages such as lower cost, higher production volume, and a smaller energy footprint. While CdTe solar panels currently make up a significant portion of the US utility-scale solar market, they represent only about 3% of global solar capacity due to their relatively lower conversion efficiency compared to silicon cells. The US Department of Energy, in partnership with industry leaders like First Solar, has been working for decades to improve CdTe technology and supply chains, culminating in a detailed roadmap published in the journal Joule. Two main challenges must be addressed to achieve the 100 GW annual production target: securing a reliable domestic supply of tellurium