Colorado's Abound Solar is kicking off 2012 by reaching new conversion efficiency levels with its 82.8-watt cadmium telluride (CdTe) panels. The new modules, which will come out later this year, are the next step for the company as it prepares to ramp up production and compete more directly with First Solar, and in the future, with General Electric's CdTe modules.

The 82.8-watt module has a 12.2 percent aperture efficiency and is being verified by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), according to Abound. It plans to introduce 85 watt modules with a higher efficiency in 2013.

The company's top two competitors in the CdTe space, First Solar and GE, are also in the same range. The average efficiency of the largest CdTe manufacturer in the world, First Solar, was 11.7 percent in 2011.

By the end of 2012 it projected its modules will have an average efficiency of 12.7 percent. First Solar recently broke the record for CdTe efficiency with a 14.4 percent efficient module.

"Abound Solar will be approaching First Solar's panel efficiencies during 2012," said Abound CEO Craig Witsoe. "As the two credible CdTe solar panel producers in the world, we expect continual improvements from both companies over time."

GE is now starting to build its manufacturing facility in Aurora, Colo. It plans to start producing modules that are 14 percent efficient at the facility when it's complete in 2013.

Abound started producing the new 82-watt modules on its existing production lines in early January. Already it has produced several hundred modules that have reached that threshold.

"We are not currently delivering these modules to customers," Witsoe said. "Mass production of these modules will begin in the second half of 2012 and, thus, they will be available for customer projects in late 2012."

The company also is boosting production capacity.

"We have capacity to produce up to 100 megawatts in 2012. Actual production will be based on market conditions," Witsoe said.

As the company's production capacity increases, so will the size of the solar farms it will supply.

"Abound Solar's sweet spot right now is the 500-kW to 20-MW range, though we are willing to discuss both smaller and larger requests as well," Witsoe said.

The company also is building a larger manufacturing facility in Tipton, Ind. When completed it will be able to produce up to 400 megawatts of modules annually, allowing the company to supply even bigger projects.

"We anticipate production in Tipton some time in 2014," Wisoe said.

Abound will adjust the timing of when it brings all the production online based on market conditions.