GE announced that it is focusing its R&D efforts on thin film PV technology in conjunction with PrimeStar Solar, the startup firm in which GE is a majority investor. Working closely with PrimeStar technology experts, the GE is bringing to bear the full scale of its four Global Research operations to address each of the challenges required to bring a new product to market.

The GE/PrimeStar product is being developed at PrimeStar's headquarters in Arvada, Colorado. A team of PrimeStar technologists is working closely with GE researchers, who are focused on several key areas — including device efficiency, reliability, production and installation costs and manufacturability.

The team in Munich is utilizing world-class indoor and outdoor solar system test facilities where they study finished module performance to identify and address degradation mechanisms and packaging issues. Moreover, this team also brings deep expertise at the system level.

In China, GE's researchers are focused on CdTe materials and the impact they have on device performance.

In India, GE's Bangalore team works on building comprehensive models to help guide advanced device design.

Finally, GE's research team in Niskayuna, N.Y., is working on all facets of CdTe module development, including material growth, device development and robust process development. Their technical expertise cuts across diverse fields such as surface chemistry, laser processing and plasma physics.

And for the record, GE currently provides a range of utility-scale solar solutions, including smart grid power electronics and pre-packaged systems. For instance, GE's Brilliance solar inverter offers reliable power conversion technology derived from its industry-leading 1.5 MW wind turbine.

[source: GE]