Thin-film solar power plant performing impressively

The first and only 100 kilovolt (KV) thin film module-based solar power plant in Gazipur is successfully generating electricity with impressive efficiency.
This first-ever experience of success could be utilised in different parts of the country for bigger solar power plants, sources at the renewable energy entities said.
The thin modules can generate electricity for more than seven hours a day. It even generates electricity in defused sunlight, a renewable energy expert said.
An Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) source said, "Although currently all the panels are of mono or poly crystalline, for use in buildings as glass alternative and in bigger solar plants for cost-effectiveness, we are thinking of this new technology for generating renewable energy or electricity."
According to the expert, thin film modules' cost is lower than mono or poly crystalline and they generate more power. He said the thin and transparent film could be used in the buildings as glasses to generate power.
He said currently the widely used mono or poly crystalline panels can generate power only for some hours a day.
For generating electricity from high-rise buildings, the thin films could be used as 'building-integrated photovoltaic modules', and in many countries of the world solar films are used as building glass to generate power.
He said although efficiency of the thin module is slightly lower than mono or poly crystalline and requires more space, its sun radiation hour (generating time) is higher than any other types of panels.
The first such plant was installed at the Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Memorial KPJ Specialized Hospital and Nursing College in Gazipur by PBL Solar Limited, a subsidiary of the Project Builders Limited.
PBL deputy managing director, Engineer Sirajul Islam, said, "Our first thin module based 100 KV solar renewable plant has been successfully generating power since its commissioning last year." He said during the last one year there was no trouble and no maintenance cost for the renewable energy plant.
He said, "We have brought European technology for the plant and we are thinking of going ahead with other projects by using the thin film-based modules."
Mr. Islam added that as the thin films' radiating time is higher than mono or poly crystalline panels, after the batteries become fully charged upon several hours' radiation, the power generation during the rest of the time could be used for other purposes.
He said at the Gazipur hospital plant, the 100 KV capacity has been divided into two parts --- 50 KV in the gridline without battery, as, without storing, it is used through daylight, and another 50 KV, generated for the plant, goes to the off-grid line as it is stored in the battery for use at night.
He said, "In our first project, we have used high-tech instruments and the plant is an example for use of thin solar modules successfully."0