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First Solar modules are designed to assure their safety under any foreseeable use or event.

Key Product Design Features

  • Front (Substrate) Glass
    Heat strengthened through a quenching process to withstand handling and thermally induced stresses and avoid breakage over the 25+ year module life.

  • Semiconductor
    Compound semiconductor forms a strong molecular bond that is not readily soluble or combustible.

  • Metal Conductor
    Provides an additional seal between the semiconductor and the environment, even if the glass were to break or crack.

  • EVA
    Used to bond the cover glass to the substrate over the 25+ year anticipated life of the module, sealing the photovoltaic device from the environment.

  • Back (Cover) Glass
    Tempered to withstand handling and thermally induced stresses and avoid breakage over the 25+ year module life.
Learn More  
 

Experimental investigation of emissions and redistribution of elements in CdTe PV modules during fires (Brookhaven Fire Vaporization Paper)

Life cycle analysis of cadmium in CdTe PV production (Brookhaven Report)