On October 2 SolarCity announced about their new solar panels efficiency achievement. But their record-setting attainment was exceeded in the several following days by Panasonic.
As the demand for renewable energy sources rises, the producers of such facilities are trying to reach the new levels of efficiency, so that to stay on the competitive levels on the market. This is 100 percent true considering the solar panels industry. The producing companies are developing new technologies to increase the quality of their panels. A key point in this issue is efficiency of the panels.
The solar panel efficiency is the percentage of solar energy, converted into electricity. The highest efficiency level of solar facilities in considered to be about 40% and it was reached in artificial conditions by scientists. In order to do it, they concentrate sunlight before it hits the panel and use solar cells, produced of alternative materials. These methods are impossible to apply for the conventional use, thus the rooftop panels possess substantially lower efficiency.
However, the recent advancing in this field is quite promising. In May, 2015 it was announced about record-breaking efficiency achievements by three companies at once. The efficiency indexes then were under 20% and seemed very respectable as for rooftop systems. But less than a half year later we observe new records and other top performers.
On October 2 SolarCity made a statement, that they had designed the "world's most efficient" rooftop solar panels. They claimed their new solar modules to produce more energy per square foot than any other in the world.
The solar panels efficiency was estimated by Renewable Energy Test Center, which announced the result of 22.4 percent. The new panels are created applying new technology, which provide higher capability with lower manufacturing cost, as compared to other high-efficiency technologies. They produce about 30-40% more power, than other panels of the same size and also show good performance in high temperatures, which ensures better productivity within a year.
The production of the new panels will be at first accomplished on their pilot facility in Fremont, California. It'll be a production of relatively small volumes (about 9-10 thousand units per day), but eventually the company will transfer the manufacturing to their main 1GW facilitiy in Buffalo, New York, where full capacity will be reached only by early 2017.
However, the new solar panels are not to be installed everywhere; it will be up to the SolarCity to decide where they are most appropriate variant to use. "In short term, there won't be a situation, when the customer says: I want that panel" – said Jonathan Bass, SolarCity's Vice President of communication. Instead, the company will install them in places with scarce space and the need to produce more energy.
Thus, the winning streaks of SolarCity appeared to be short-lasting, as less than in a week after their record announcement Panasonic's statement about their new panel prototype followed. The new record-holder has efficiency of 22.5 percent, which was estimated by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. The difference between two companies' efficiency achievements is less than half a percent, but the fact, that Panasonic's panels are already being produced on a massive scale makes the company an industry leader so far. "The new efficiency demonstrates once again Panasonic's proven leadership in photovolvatics and our ongoing commitment to advance solar technology" – said Daniel Roca, senior business developer at Panasonic Eco Solutions Europe.
The new Panasonic's solar panels consist of 72 cells, 270-watt prototype and were made of crystalline silicon solar cells – the most commonly used material for solar panels. The problem about crystalline silicon is the fact, that it is less productive material, as compared to other used for solar panels. But on the other hand, it is cheaper and easier for manufacturing. Thus, the Panasonic new record is good not only because of high efficiency, but also due to relatively low cost of energy per watt.
Of course, there are many quality factors for rooftop solar panels, and the efficiency isn't the most crucial one. Very important is to install the panel effectively, taking into account their location and roof orientation. The working temperatures also affect the working performance. The panels of higher efficiency are usually more expensive, but they occupy less space. So if there are no space constraints, one may concentrate on total value of solar installation, choosing the panels of average 10-15% efficiency.
The permanent effective competition between solar equipment producing companies suggests great prospects for the industry, as manufacturers will try to surpass the current results, producing new state-of-the-art technologies.
SolarCity is an American energy company, providing full-solar services. It was founded in 2006 and currently it is one of the leading American solar energy companies. Headquartered in San Mateo, California.
Panasonic is a Japanese multinational electronic corporation, headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. It was founded in 1918 and as of today it is developing a number of business directions. Sanyo Electric Co began solar researches in 1975. In 2011 it became a full subsidiary of Panasonic and now Panasonic Solar is one of the worlds' leading solar companies.
Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) is an energy certification and testing provider for renewable energy systems, headquartered in Fremont, California.
