Solar cells must improve efficiency for use in grid or rooftop applications, according to report

13 November 2009

Both dye-sensitised cells and organic photovoltaic technologies lag far behind on the efficiency curve when compared to conventional solar by greater than 20 per cent efficiency, according to a new report on third generation thin film solar technologies.

To enable long-term use of the technologies in conventional electricity generation such as grid-connected or stand-alone rooftop applications, significant progress in cell efficiency, stability, and lifetime are needed, the report claims.

Third-generation PV is not at a price point to be able to compete directly with silicon-based cells or the more exotic thin-film technologies, but it will nevertheless play a significant energy role in applications and markets that conventional solar materials will never be able to penetrate, the report said. One of the greatest appeals of third-generation thin-film solar cells is that they can be manufactured using solution-based, low-temperature roll-to-roll manufacturing methods, incorporating conventional printing techniques on flexible substrates, which presents the opportunity for a more economical alternative for solar cells within the next few years.

New, low-cost third-generation solar cells will offer larger surface areas with enhanced performance, according to the study, which predicts that dye sensitised cells will target larger area building integrated photovoltaic applications while organic photovoltaics will find application in lower power consumer applications.

There is some evidence to suggest that for mass production for top grid-connected and building-integrated solar cells, optimal lifetime duration should be at least 20 years, according to the report, since investors are less likely to support a technology with low efficiency and lifetime.

Copyright © 2009 NewNet

Tags: solar

This story was published on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 7:15 pm and is filed under Europe, companies, knowledge, solar. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Solar cells must improve efficiency for use in grid or rooftop applications, according to report”

1. D Bell says:

   7 December 2009 at 2:19 pm

   After reading the artical above, I wonder how many panels would be needed to produce the same amount of electricity as a power station? How many homes would like the chance to be involved in a pilot scheme to produce free power for the home and sell back extra power to the grid? A free install, free power and the owner of the panels keeps the profit on the extra power. Would it work?

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