2 ms·
In the extreme limit, for a multi-junction solar cell with an infinite number of layers, the efficiency limit is 68.7% for normal sunlight, or 86.8% using conce
by philipkglass 5y ago
In the extreme limit, for a multi-junction solar cell with an infinite number of layers, the efficiency limit is 68.7% for normal sunlight, or 86.8% using concentrated sunlight.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shockley%E2%80%93Queisser_limit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shockley%E2%80%93Queisser_limi...
There will never be a shipment of 90% efficient solar panels. Unlike fusion, nobody has even predicted that 90% efficient solar panels might be available in a decade.
If this is just a hyperbolic way of saying that people predict more efficient solar panels all the time -- well, yes they do. Many of those panels actually make it to market. The first terrestrial solar panel to reach 20% efficiency was introduced in 2012:
https://newsroom.sunpower.com/press-releases?item=122881 https://newsroom.sunpower.com/press-releases?item=122881
Today, a half dozen manufacturers offer modules over 20% efficiency. And the newer entrants are all doing it with simpler and more affordable cell designs than SunPower used in 2012.