Solar cells of different materials capture differing percentages of sunlight.
Single and multicrystalline solar cells have almost the same high rate of efficiency,
with materials found in thin film being less efficient.
|
Monocrystalline |
12-15% |
|
Multicrystalline |
11-14% |
|
CIGS |
9-9.5% |
|
Cadmium telluride |
6-7.5% |
|
Amorphous |
5-7% |
The current consensus is that the theoretical maximum level of conversion of the
photons that strike the silicon solar cell into electrons that can be captured is
around 30%.
Solar modules using indium and cadmium are less efficient. Furthermore, there is
limited availability of these materials, and they give rise to environmental concerns.
The thinner a silicon solar wafer is, the more cost effective it is to produce.
However, the thinner it is, the more delicate it becomes, resulting in a higher
percentage of loss in the module construction phase. Therefore thickness has to
be carefully balanced with the ability of module manufacturers to handle them.
It is expected that mono and multicrystalline solar power will become cost competitive
with utility peak power in 5 to 10 years.
Cost-reduction/kWh electricity produced will be the driving force
Source: RWE Energie AD and RSS GmbH
