Next breakthrough in solar technology costs

Developments in photovoltaic (PV) solar cells:

● inexpensive, polycrystalline, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with 19% efficiency
● double-layer PV panels which utilize different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in each layer
● rear contact technology which increases the area available for energy collection at the front

Together, it is expected that that these developments will lead to cells with 26%+ efficiency. Using current dimensions, this will result in panels rated at 420 Watts.

Installation, including cabling, connection, racking & labour, is a substantial fraction of the total cost of PV, particularly roof-top. Fewer larger capacity panels are required for a given generating capacity, driving down installation costs & total cost of a PV system.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/4/29/solar-energy/next-breakthrough-solar-technology-costs?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1316563&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / SunPower world PV panel efficiency 24% efficient cells best solar panels highest efficiency solar panels cost quite a bit more 50% commodity panels produced market leaders Trina Yingli REC ultra-high efficiency panels reduce installation costs real-estate per unit production product high sticker price SunPower Sanyo multilayer multi-junction panel HITs heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer Panasonic leading lithium-ion battery technology market leading solar technology Panasonic’s HIT panels SunPower product efficiency laboratory HITs efficiency in excess of 25% Panasonic manufacture latest HITs panels cost effective price SunPower Panasonic technologies Trina efficiency record over 19% efficiency using inexpensive solar cell polycrystalline cell Trina expects to mass produce SunPower substantial efficiency gains existing single layer technology cutting edge research single layer panels hitting diminishing returns percentage point of efficiency below UNSW laboratory record single layer silicon cell efficiency sell homeowners roof Panasonic’s HIT technology SunPower’s more scope efficiency gains add another PV layer capture energy from another part of the electromagnetic spectrum Panasonic’s exclusive patents on HIT technology will run out soon US start-up Natcore institutional research efforts high efficiency PV cell SunPower Panasonic’s HIT technology Natcore panel suppliers HIT technology push efficiencies single-layer technology developers projects SunEdison high-pressure fluidised bed reactor HP-FBR technology reduce the energy required most energy-intensive manufacturing PV cells 90% solar industry combine continued trend high efficiency polycrystalline cells Trina developed rear contact technology SunPower front-contacts front of the cells HIT technology 26%-27% efficient cells regular sized panels pumping out 420W available solar displacing fossil fuels 15% efficient 26-27% efficiency cheapest energy source ongoing cost reductions in the hardware reduction labour cost per watt installed less physical panel installed per Watt dominate total installation costs paying 35c/W 420W 250W panel staying the same size labour cost of installation reduces 20c/W substantial saving less cables fixings less racking 5-10c/W CEC accredited installation accreditation licensed electrical contractors trade qualified installers multi-layer panel HIT thin-film silicon technology perovskites researchers rear contact technology low temperature polysilicon processing very cheap solar commodity suppliers incremental improvements polycrystalline processes lowering costs adding another layer Australian government Australian solar industry develop commercialise install next generation of solar power /