Comments on: New IMEC Solar Cells: 18.4% Conversion Efficiency

By: Keith Elliott

Keith Elliott — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:05:16 +0000

Please note that this is CONCENTRATED solar energy.

This has been done before, perhaps 30 years ago. Granted the efficiencies weren’t as high, but then technology has advanced a long way since then.

There is a potential drawback that they have studiously avoided mentioning. This concentration adds heat to the equation, which is detrimental to the panels, potentially shortening their life.

And you don’t need to wait until something better comes along – get in now. The sooner you start using your own power the better. Price are already very low.

Remember, you will always be buying PV by the watt, and the efficiency won’t alter what that is. If it’s $2 a watt, it’s $2 a watt regardless of the type of panel.

By: Christopher Clinton

Christopher Clinton — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:42:48 +0000

Keep it going, we’ve got a long way to go…

By: Betsy Babcock

Betsy Babcock — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:42:18 +0000

We’re thinking about installing solar, but with the huge technology advances in the pipeline… and hopefully lower prices, we’re going to wait a bit.

By: Bruce Lee Anderson

Bruce Lee Anderson — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:41:50 +0000

This is so exciting! Amazing Solar conversion levels…

By: Salem O. Ghoweri

Salem O. Ghoweri — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:41:25 +0000

The newest Spectrolab solar cell, tested a little over a month ago by the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory just recently set the record of solar energy efficiency at 41.6%.

http://spacefellowship.com/2009/08/26/boeing-subsidiary-spectrolab-achieves-world-record-solar-cell-efficiency/