The most efficient panels have not been invented yet. New methods are constantly being tried.
We can make solar panels very efficient but always less than perfect. Solar panels work by converting the energy in photons into electric potential. The largest inefficiency that I see is aiming the solar panel at the sun. The Sun's angle changes as the seasons change but also as the day goes on. Any solar panel will only be roughly 50% efficient unless you put it into space.
That said, you can define efficiency in 2 ways:
1. The amount of energy that you get from the light that is hitting the panel
2. The amount of energy you get from the light available from the Sun (since not all of it hits the panel)
Good talk.
The last advance that I heard of is that they made some solar panes 44 energy efficient. Of course, solar panels in space are far more efficient.
Solar tech developers have been busy outdoing each other in breaking records for cell and panel efficiencies. Why is it important and how do these players stack up against each other?
It depends on the material used to make them. Any photovoltaic material has what's called a bandgap, and that sets the upper limit to its theoretical efficiency. The best one I know of is CdTe, with an upper limit of 46%, however, Te is a very rare metal and Cd is very toxic.
DK
You are looking at them. We have not had 100 years to play with this yet. Not like big Oil and cars.
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How efficient can we make Solar Panels?.
