The key to success in the solar cell industry
Solar radiation is cheap . That is the one thing that is apparent about it . However , converting that radiated energy into useful power is another matter . It is possible to construct solar cell projects in places where the land costs are minimal [the desert] or free [rooftops] . Based on those facts , the best kind of solar cell would be a cheap but long lasting one . [That would be for mass deployment .]
How do we measure "cheap" for a solar cell ? It would be in dollars per watt . The costs involved in constructing a solar cell project are :
1] the purchase price of the cells
2] installation costs
3] the cost of the grid tie-in equipment
4] land costs [where applicable]
For the purposes of this discussion I will only address the 1st one . How do you get a cell to be cheap in price ? It is a simple equation : $/watt .
To make it low you can only do 2 things : lower the manufacturing costs and/or raise the output efficiency .
And that brings me to this latest breakthrough design . It does both of the above . I don't know about you but I am very impressed by any product which can offer more output for less money .
Here are the relevant links about this company , Solar3D :
1] Solar3D Sets World Record for Silicon Solar Cell
Initial Tests Indicate the Companys Breakthrough Silicon Solar Cell Design Will Produce 25.47% Conversion Efficiency
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120103005316/en/Solar3D-Sets-World-Record-Silicon-Solar-Cell
2]Solar3D Announces Breakthrough Design Improvement to Reduce Manufacturing Cost
Company simplifies design of its 25% super-efficient solar cell to substantially reduce the mass production cost
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20120111005392&div=447208641
If anyone has an actual interest in this subject I strongly recommend you read both of those link articles . They are each very short and non-technical .
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This looks very interesting Rich. I am commenting on it now, so that I can read it with a clear head tomorrow.
I don't think you will be disappointed . This is newly announced info .
I'm actually looking forward to it. I just want to read it with a clear head!
That is a good plan . See you tomorrow ...
OK, so I have now read them with a clear mind and the development of a 3D solar panel makes a lot of sense. Simply put, more surface area in less space. The fact that they have brought downmanufacturingcosts is also very exciting.
The site is obviously an investment oriented, as in they are looking for investors. I am interested, but maybe too early yet to tell? We have seen other solar panels companies not pan out too well. Still, I am very hopeful.
I haven't looked at this from the POV of an investment . I was only considering the technical aspects of what they are doing . To examine the investment potential one needs to consider the quality and reliability of management etc.
In any case I am not surprised to see no one but you come in here to comment . Even though I am sticking my predictive neck out , no one has the interest to get more involved . This is what I was talking about on Nadia's article :
when I said I don't think there will be much interest . That's because there are an huge number of potential innovations in this field . Until I read about this one I was reluctant to attempt to pick a potential front runner .
But this one stands out from the pack IMO . [That doesn't mean that it won't be superceded by something else later on. ] But for the present this looks very promising .
Here I thought I did a fairly good job of summarizing the issues with solar cell design and production but I've gotten no interested comments . Is that because I seem to be one-upping Nadia'a article ? Are there no questions or comments about what I've written ?