Paper-Thin Solar Makes Any Surface Photovoltaic
Monocrystalline Si solar panels have so many advantages that it&#x27;s hard to get interested in anything else for home or business construction.  Lifetime is measured in decades, not years; efficiency is approaching 25% while prices are dropping (only expensive multi-junction III-V types are better, currently limited to satellite power systems); and for variable surfaces, they can be manufactured as small shingles as well as the standard size panel.<p>Unfortunately the USA, due to decades of minimal R&amp;D funding, is well behind the technology curve in this area:<p>&gt; &quot;Some Chinese companies are defying the “more efficient = more expensive” rule in 2022. High efficiency solar panels are entering the market from companies like LonGi, Canadian Solar, and Trina Solar that surpass the 20 percent efficiency rating, but cost less per watt as opposed to SunPower, LG and Panasonic panels. Solar is cheaper than ever without sacrificing efficiency ratings, which begs the question if U.S manufacturers will be able to maintain their pricing premiums.&quot;<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.energysage.com&#x2F;what-are-the-most-efficient-solar-panels-on-the-market&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.energysage.com&#x2F;what-are-the-most-efficient-sola...</a><p>Of course a boom in solar PV installation in the USA would pull the rug out from under natural gas prices, which more-or-less explains government policy in this area.