Government incentive programs and large-scale production facilities have helped the photovoltaic industry lower costs, but there is still room to improve, a recent report suggests.
The Photovoltaic Technology Roadmap from Yole Développement is a research study that presents and analyzes the latest technology trends in crystalline and thin-film solar cells. Report results were determined after a data collection process from more than 80 companies and R&D labs.
With many developed countries turning to photovoltaics as a low-cost source of clean and renewable energy to meet goals of reduced energy consumption, the industry has room to expand.
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Large-scale production, international R7D centers, and innovative equipment have helped reduce costs. However, large facilities will need to continue to use the scale effect to lower the cost of raw materials and increase yields.
The report also includes information about existing technologies and looks at how technology could put against theoretical maximum efficiency as early as 2020.
For more information visit www.yole.fr.