U.S. solar-panel producers say tandem panels could generate 25 percent more energy than most panels now available. They hope the technology will challenge China's dominance of the industry. Tandem PV, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells say they're preparing to sell the panels commercially after testing the devices and obtaining certifications from technical bodies.
What the technology promises
Tandem panels add second and third layers of material to capture more of the sun's radiance and convert it into electricity. The companies say they want to make panels that produce more power than most devices available today. If the technology succeeds, it could help meet rising electricity demand while requiring less land and roof area.
Researchers have worked for years to develop tandem panels. The technology remains in development, and U.S. producers' plans for commercial sales depend on testing and certifications. The account doesn't give a launch date or say when the companies expect to complete those steps.
Mike Carr, executive director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition, called tandem panels “the next frontier.” He acknowledged that Chinese companies are also developing the technology, but argued that their products “is not better than ours and maybe even behind us.” The companies describe a competition between U.S. and Chinese producers seeking to develop and sell the next generation of panels.
The article identifies the manufacturers and their technical claims, but gives no figures for expected sales, production costs, or company profits. It doesn't name workers involved in developing or producing the panels, or say whether the technology would change employment or wages. The potential commercial opportunity is a product that could generate more electricity using less land and roof area.
Commercial hurdles
Power producers may hesitate to buy tandem panels if the devices cost too much. They may also wait for manufacturers to show that the new panels won't degrade more quickly than conventional ones. Commercial acceptance remains uncertain, even as manufacturers prepare for sales after testing and certification.
The source gives no price for tandem panels and no comparison of their expected costs with conventional panels. It also provides no data on how quickly the new devices might degrade. The stated increase in energy generation compares the panels with most devices available today; the report doesn't provide a separate performance figure for each manufacturer or product.
Competition and unanswered questions
Chinese companies are developing tandem solar technology too, according to Carr. His assessment that their technology may be behind U.S. products comes from an industry representative, not a reported test result in the account. No Chinese company or product is named, and the article offers no independent comparison of the competing technologies.
The account describes no government action, public subsidy, union, labor dispute, or organized campaign connected to tandem panels. It reports no reform proposal or worker response. The report's immediate questions are whether manufacturers can complete testing and certification, whether power producers will accept the price, and whether the panels can match conventional devices in durability. The companies say they're preparing for commercial sales; buyers' decisions and the technology's performance remain unresolved.