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A team of researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia have set a new record for solar cell efficiency. A new multi-cell combination can convert 43 percent of sunlight to electricity, beating the previous record of 42.7 percent. While it's not a huge leap ahead, it does get us closer to that pivotal 50 percent mark.
The team increased the efficiency by combining the silicon cell with others made from gallium, indium, phosphorus and arsenic. This combination allowed the capture of light at the red and near-infrared end of the spectrum, boosting the electricity output.
Don't expect to see this combination in use anytime soon though. The semiconductors used are very expensive, but at least researchers are forging ahead and maybe a new record will be hit any day now using cheaper materials.
via Discovery News
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written by Bob Wallace, August 26, 2009
43/17 = 2.5 times more power out of a given area.
Important for large installations where real estate costs come into play. Not so important for a home solar system where most roofs are much larger than the array needed to run a home.
This sort of performance is also important for space installation where the cost of putting stuff in orbit is very high.
On Earth we're most likely to see these high performance cells used with concentrating lenses or mirrors where "several suns" of light can be focused on the panel.
Important for large installations where real estate costs come into play. Not so important for a home solar system where most roofs are much larger than the array needed to run a home.
This sort of performance is also important for space installation where the cost of putting stuff in orbit is very high.
On Earth we're most likely to see these high performance cells used with concentrating lenses or mirrors where "several suns" of light can be focused on the panel.
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written by Bob Wallace, August 26, 2009
We've seen some significant decreases in PV prices recently. Prices spiked a couple of years ago because there was a shortage of processed silicon due to high demand and limited processing facilities.
Some months back a lot more processing came on line, in fact more than was needed, and panel prices have dropped from around $5 retail to $3. That's a 40% price drop.
When I bought my first panels in the early 1990s the going retail price was about $12 (2009 dollars). A drop from $12 to $3 is enormous.
Look for prices to continue to drop. A Chinese manufacturer has figured out how to decrease costs an additional $0.70 per watt.
The magic manufacturing cost of $1 per watt for thin film has been passed by First Solar at their Malaysia plant and their US plant is getting close to $1.
Some months back a lot more processing came on line, in fact more than was needed, and panel prices have dropped from around $5 retail to $3. That's a 40% price drop.
When I bought my first panels in the early 1990s the going retail price was about $12 (2009 dollars). A drop from $12 to $3 is enormous.
Look for prices to continue to drop. A Chinese manufacturer has figured out how to decrease costs an additional $0.70 per watt.
The magic manufacturing cost of $1 per watt for thin film has been passed by First Solar at their Malaysia plant and their US plant is getting close to $1.
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written by Mark, August 26, 2009
I think when we know more about nano materials we will probably hit up to 90% within the a decade.
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written by cheap jordan shoes, August 27, 2009
I must say this is a great article i enjoyed reading it keep the good work.
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written by Golmekker, August 30, 2009
Make me sick the way they prance about.
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written by runescape money, August 31, 2009
Exchanges, when on the game will inevitably encounter some players inqure something from you, you are sometimes to be asked buying things , the best way is ignoring them,or just reply "im sory" .
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written by ghd hair straightener, September 03, 2009
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written by Ray-ray, September 04, 2009
I found out that there are much betters solars systems out there. Many made by college students. Fact is because they are not tied and true, no company is willing to gamble on bringing it into the fray.
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written by Vladan, September 04, 2009
Another step to the bright future of green houses...
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what's the big difference from those?