Thin-Film Photovoltaic Technology Compared to Crystalline Technology

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TECHNOLOGY TRACK RECORD

• Thin Film Panels have been produced since 1983.

• Currently there are more than 500,000 square feet of Thin Film PV Roofing Systems in operation worldwide

• To date, there have been more than 35 MW of thin film PV products produced and delivered with less than a 0.01% return rate.

• Star 8 PV technology has been tested by major national test labs and has been proven as a stable, efficient, durable photovoltaic technology.

• Star 8 currently produces the most flexible, durable, stable, and the highest energy-producing photovoltaic products in the world.

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CRYSTALLINE PV VS. TRIPLE-JUNCTION PV

The Star 8 Triple-Junction PV products have significant advantages when compared to crystalline technology PV products. They are flexible, lightweight, and have better performance at actual operating temperatures, under lower light intensities, and even when damaged (unlikely due to the durability of the PV Laminate).

* Based on data from independent studies (ECN, NREL, TISO)

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STAR 8 FLEXISTAR 8 FLEXISTAR 8 FLEXISTAR 8 FLEXI

LIGHTWEIGHT & FLEXIBLE

The Star 8 PV panels achieve their lightweight and flexibility advantages over the glass-based crystalline PV panels through the following:

• Thin-Film Amorphous Silicon thickness = Less than 1 Micron • Stainless Steel substrate = 5 mil • Protective Coating = ETFE Film • Average Weight = .7 lbs/sq ft

Glass-Based PV Panels are rigid and relatively fragile. They are almost four times heavier per square foot due to the use of glass as a laminating/protecting material. The required metal framing adds additional weight.

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IS LESS SENSITIVE TO HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

What the following chart shows:

• Rated PV module output is measured at a cell temperature of 25° Centigrade (77° Fahrenheit).

• Normal operating cell temperatures range from 50° C to 70° C (122° F to 158° F).

• At normal operating temperatures (60°C), actual output for crystalline is 16% lower than rated power.

• At normal operating temperatures (60°C), actual output for STAR 8 is 4% lower than rated power.

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24 30

PR

IS LESS SENSITIVE

TO HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE Performance Ratio (PR) of module vs. initial power (source: TISO)

1.00

0.95

0.90

Operating Zone

0.85

0.80

0.75

0.70

0 6 12 18

Ambient temperature (°C)

Crystalline Si- system 36

Lab testing

mono-Si poly-Si amorphous Si

0 25 40 50 55 60 65 70

Cell Temperature (°C) 6

ENERGY PRODUCTION

TIME

Area under each curve represents daily energy production

STAR 8 Energy Production > Equally-Rated Crystalline primarily due to better output at lower light intensity

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EFFECTS OF SHADING OR SOILING

_ Sources of soiling: • Bird droppings • Water puddling

• Concentrations of dust/dirt

+

SILICON CRYSTAL PV MODULE CELL CONNECTIONS

Shade/Soil any one cell = Output loss of 50% (typically 2 bypass diodes in the J-box) Area of shade/soiling required to cover one cell = 4” x 4” (16 sq in)

_ +

BYPASS DIODES ACROSS EACH CELL

STAR 8 PV MODULE CELL CONNECTIONS

Shade/Soil any one cell = Output loss of <4.5% (22-cell Laminate) Area of shade/soiling required to cover one cell = 9” x 14” (126 sq in)

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DURABILITY – EFFECTS OF DAMAGE TO PV PANELS

• Chance of damage to PV panels is increased due to the fact that roof surfaces require access by service personnel.

• STAR 8 PV Laminates are extremely durable and can sustain much greater impact than glass-based PV panels.

• STAR 8 PV Laminates can sustain significant damage and still produce most of their rated power.

• The output of glass-based PV panels drops to zero over time following damage to glass surface (even small cracks) due to the penetration of moisture.

• Removal and replacement of glass-based PV panels can be expensive and can result in damage to other panels.

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