Comments on: Solar Cell that Shines in Order to Produce More Electricity (Record-Breaking Technology) http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/23/solar-cell-that-shines-in-order-to-produce-more-electricity-innovative-research-record-breaking-technology/ Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Mon, 29 Dec 2014 06:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 By: SRoeCo Solar http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/23/solar-cell-that-shines-in-order-to-produce-more-electricity-innovative-research-record-breaking-technology/#comment-119261 Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:47:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=37331#comment-119261 It’s always exciting news when scientists explore new ways to increase the output of renewable energy sources like solar panels. I would caution the casual reader not to expect ‘record-breaking’ efficiencies in laboratories (even verified by the NREL) to be immediately available on the market. It will likely be years before the typical residential consumer will be comparing panels of efficiencies in the 24-30% range.

The average efficiency of market available panels is closer to 14-15% right now. Barely 8 modules available are >20% efficient, with the highest being 21%.

Source: http://www.sroeco.com/solar/table

]]> By: Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/23/solar-cell-that-shines-in-order-to-produce-more-electricity-innovative-research-record-breaking-technology/#comment-119244 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:13:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=37331#comment-119244 very good point. i often think about them as separate. obviously, shouldn’t do that. :D

]]> By: Captivation http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/23/solar-cell-that-shines-in-order-to-produce-more-electricity-innovative-research-record-breaking-technology/#comment-119243 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:09:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=37331#comment-119243 Thanks, Zachary.
I’d also like to point out that if PV efficiency goes from 20% to 24% it is the equivalent of a 20% reduction in price of panels (per watt) AND a 20% reduction in installation costs (per watt). This is because the same roof area and installation effort will now produce 20% more energy. For example if 20% panels generate 1000 watts on your roof, then 24% panels will general 1200 watts with no extra installation fee.

]]> By: Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/23/solar-cell-that-shines-in-order-to-produce-more-electricity-innovative-research-record-breaking-technology/#comment-119230 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:33:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=37331#comment-119230 Yeah, with all the companies and scientists working on bringing solar costs down, it’s just absurd to think otherwise. :D

]]> By: Captivation http://cleantechnica.com/2012/04/23/solar-cell-that-shines-in-order-to-produce-more-electricity-innovative-research-record-breaking-technology/#comment-119177 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:12:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=37331#comment-119177 And since energy efficiency is improving at the same time as manufacturing efficiency, the compounding reduction in price/watt will probably surprise us. When you start multiplying out these numbers it becomes clear we’re headed back to a low cost energy economy. This means that the suburbs might regain their land value. Peak Oil has arrived, but Peak Energy will not.
My feelings about this are mixed because I honestly hoped that higher energy costs would create closer communities. But if the energy of the new economy is ecologically friendly, perhaps I need to rethink my assumptions.

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