U.S. solar-panel producers say they’re nearing a technological breakthrough that could challenge China’s dominance in the industry. Tandem panels could generate 25 percent more energy than most panels available today. They add second and third layers of material to capture more of the sun’s radiance and convert it into electricity. Now, commercial prospects sit at the center of a contest between U.S. manufacturers and Chinese companies.
The Industrial Contest
Tandem PV, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells say they’re preparing to sell tandem panels commercially soon. The companies have tested the devices and are seeking certifications from technical bodies. These plans point to a possible shift from years of research toward commercial production, but the companies haven’t established that the new panels have overcome the hurdles they face.
“It is the next frontier,” said Mike Carr, executive director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition. Carr acknowledged that Chinese companies are also developing tandem solar technology. He said their technology “is not better than ours and maybe even behind us.” That comparison puts American manufacturers’ effort directly against Chinese development, even as the technology remains unestablished in the marketplace.
Tandem panels could disrupt the industry if manufacturers can sell them and power producers choose to buy them. The reported advantage is energy output: these panels could generate 25 percent more energy than most panels currently available. That figure describes a potential, not a guaranteed result for every commercial installation.
Land, Demand and Commercial Hurdles
If successful, tandem technology could help meet rising electricity demand using less land and roof area. The prospect ties panel efficiency to the physical space solar generation requires. The article doesn’t quantify how much land or roof area a project could save. It says the technology could require less of both while producing the stated potential increase in energy.
Commercial obstacles remain significant. Power producers may hesitate to buy panels that cost too much, and they may wait for manufacturers to show tandem panels won’t degrade more quickly than conventional panels. Cost and durability, along with technical performance, will determine whether U.S. producers can challenge China.
Researchers have worked for years to develop tandem panels, but the companies’ announced preparations don’t establish that commercial sales will succeed. Producers say they’re pursuing testing and certification. The article identifies no completed commercial rollout, confirmed purchase, or final proof that tandem panels will retain performance at the same rate as conventional products.
A Conditional Challenge
The report describes a competition over solar technology and manufacturing: U.S. producers say they’re nearing a breakthrough, while Chinese companies are also developing tandem panels. The stakes include a possible challenge to China’s industry dominance and a potential way to meet rising electricity demand with less land and roof area. Neither outcome is assured. Producers must address price and degradation concerns before the claimed efficiency advantage can translate into sales.