Solar is caught in this vortex. The solution? Continuous innovation not only of solar cells, but finance, training, grid infrastructure and adjusting the consumer's mindset that solar is expensive. Redefining cost as not only personal cost...but all our shared taxes is essential to positioning renewable energies such as solar PV and solar thermal as affordable by small businesses, homeowners and public buildings.
Although solar power can provide a cost-effective alternative for off-grid applications, we believe the principal challenge to widespread adoption of solar power for on-grid applications is reducing manufacturing costs without impairing product reliability. We believe the following advancements in solar power technology are necessary to meet this challenge:
- Efficient material use. Reduce raw materials waste, particularly the waste associated with sawing silicon by conventional crystalline silicon technology. Efficient use of silicon is imperative for the growth of the industry due to the limited supply and increasing cost of silicon raw material expected for the near future.
- Simplified and continuous processing. Reduce reliance on expensive, multi-step manufacturing processes.
- Reduced manufacturing capital costs. Decrease the costs and risks associated with new plant investments as a result of lower capital costs per unit of production.
- Improved product design and performance. Increase product conversion efficiency, longevity and ease of use. Conversion efficiency refers to the fraction of the sun's energy converted to electricity.