Trends in Solar Photovoltaics

Two trends in solar pv have persisted over the past decades: An increase in conversion efficiency at the same time as decrease in costs. This has helped solar pv achieve grid parity in many locations already.

Cell Efficiency Improvements

Due to technological advances, the average cell efficiency for crystalline- based silicon modules has increased by 1% every two years. The theoretical maximum for efficiency of a silicon cell is 33%.

Apart from improvements in crystalline silicon and established thin-film technologies, new pv-materials are emerging, for instance:

1. Perovskite cells: hybrid organic - inorganic material with high efficiency
2. Dye-sensitive cells: organic materials with relatively moderate efficiency, though very low cost.

Cost Trends

Costs for solar have dropped dramatically and are set to come down even further. What's particularly interesting here is that costs have come down across the value chain - not only equipment, but also costs for installation and auxillary costs.