"This 15% increase in efficiency (going from 15 or 16% to 18%) is a big cost lever," says Craig Lund, 1366's director of business development. "It effectively will cut costs by 15% across the entire supply chain," he explained. "This is because you have fewer module racks, workers, etc. to deliver the same amount of power."
1366 Technologies is far from the only company to develop high-efficiency solar cells. Sunpower produces solar cells that are at least 20% efficient, and Kyocera's multicrystalline models are over 18% efficient. But 1366 claims that its cells are cheaper to make, with a production cost of just 80 cents per watt--little more than the price of electricity (read: coal power) during peak hours. And while thin-film panels boast low prices now, 1366 is betting that shortages of materials necessary for thin film production, including indium, telluride, and cadmium, will become a problem in the future. Silicon, in contrast, is in no danger of running into a shortage.
1366 is designing machines to produce its solar cells now, with commercial production expected in less than two years. The company is also in talks with a number of major solar cell companies that hope to license its technology.
there are different lines for making cells. and every line has a number of steps that are followed to convert a wafer to a cell.
ReplyDeleteas of now the manufacturers put the wafers through about 9 to 10 steps to achieve the 15%+ efficiency.
the sun power system is slightly more complex that is why they achieve a higher efficiency. the sun power system involves a lot more steps.
in general the conversion rate from wafer to cell is about 0.35 to 0.40 USD.
if the cost of making 18% panels is about 0.80 USD. it is still too much.
it would be a great deal if we could achieve the 18% efficiency at 0.40 USD.
then it makes a lot more sence
sun power system is slightly more complex that is why they achieve a higher efficiency.
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