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New Solar Cell Sets World Efficiency Record
asoduk writes to tell us that a new world record has been set for the most efficient photovoltaic device. Topping the scale at 40.8% efficiency, the new solar cell differs significantly from the previous record holder. "Instead of using a germanium wafer as the bottom junction of the device, the new design uses compositions of gallium indium phosphide and gallium indium arsenide to split the solar spectrum into three equal parts that are absorbed by each of the cell's three junctions for higher potential efficiencies. This is accomplished by growing the solar cell on a gallium arsenide wafer, flipping it over, then removing the wafer. The resulting device is extremely thin and light and represents a new class of solar cells with advantages in performance, design, operation and cost."
cool? yes, but only in the most esoteric sense. I've said MANY times before, fantastic new photovoltaic technology is announced every 6 months or so, NONE of it ever reaches the market. Call me when the ROI on home solar breaks the 20 year mark in my area. Right now it's almost 100 years.
Fission very well could be, but half-vast fission we've been saddled with as a result of the Carter administration's (the one president who should've known better, btw, what with his degree in nuclear engineering) machinations.
Things tend to cost a lot more when you throw away (and have to devise elaborate means to protect yourself from) 98% of your fuel as "waste" because you don't want terrorists to be able to make nuclear bombs.
Can you be Even More Awesome?!
I'm just curious-- not implying that your calculations are wrong. I'm at the extreme other end in Arizona, and payback appears to be in the 10-15 year range for us, not counting resale and using a constant price for power for the next 15 years. That's well within the system warranty time, but may still be a bit too much for people to pay for up front.
Payback speed depends heavily on your local utility, their rates, their incentives, and whether they allow net-metering over the entire year, or just monthly. It also depends on whether or not you are willing to consider resale value as part of your payback time.
I suspect Hawaii is even better than Arizona despite having more cloudy days, just because power is so freaking expensive there.
In the long run, I think leases will win out. A couple of companies are offering deals where you lease the system and panels, and they promise your new smaller electric bill plus the lease cost will be lower than your current electric bill. A deal like this makes things suddenly interesting to people who don't have $20k to drop up front.
These things will be *very* expensive, I'll guess that the main application will be in spacecraft solar panels.
First, they use gallium, which is an expensive material. Second, from the description in the summary (TFA is slashdotted), they do one side, then flip it over and etch the backside to get at the junction from the back. Seems like a costly manufacturing process.
Price gouging: Not enough of it.
Can you be Even More Awesome?!
Maybe it's time we start mining the landfills.