The advance of solar PV panel efficiencies Maximization - Wei Chou Wang
Description:
Most solar panels' efficiency is between 15% and 20% today.However, in 2021, here comes technological breakthroughs from China, Australia, and UK.
1. Chinese manufacturers JinkoSolar and LONGi:
Crystalline silicon technologies - 25% of solar conversion efficiency.
2. Australia developers:
Bifacial silicon solar cell - 29% of solar conversion efficiency.
3. Oxford PV:
Perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells - set a new record, 29.52% of solar conversion efficiency.
Enablers:
1. Due to a positive feedback loop,the more that renewable energy technologies are deployed, the cheaper they become due to economies of scale and competitive supply chains, among other factors.
2. As renewables grow in popularity, expand their political influence, and attract more finance, it becomes easier to leverage further policy support and finance.
3. The spread of renewable energy is found socially contagious — when one house installs rooftop solar, the neighbors who see it and talk about it are more likely to install rooftop solar themselves.
4. Policy support. Renewable energy tax credits and subsidies, feed-in tariffs, and competitive auctions have all helped reduce costs and spur deployment.
Inhibitors:
1. Processing compatibility of each sub-cell is a challenge for further improving device performance.
2. Durability and cost are two contending disadvantages of perovskites, since its ifespan is “much shorter than regular solar panels.
Paradigms:
Researchers and solar panel manufacturers work together to continuously seek for opportunities to improve the conversion rate. At the same time, goevernment and people around the world also play important roles to shape the trend of accpeting renewable energy, which keeps the wheel of technological innovation moving.
Experts:
JinkoSolar
LONGi
Oxford PV
TU Delft
LG
Panasonic
SunPower
Timing:
It happens now and is ongoing.
Web Resources:
https://news.energysage.com/what-are-the-most-efficient-solar-panels-on-the-market/
https://ratedpower.com/blog/solar-power-technology/
https://en.longi-solar.com/home/events/press_detail/id/348.html
https://www.wri.org/insights/growth-renewable-energy-sector-explained