NREL Solar Cell Sets World Efficiency Record at 40.8 Percent

NREL Newsroom ^ | 8/13/8 | NREL Newsroom

[mylife]

If this is all about energy
independence and we import 99% of the gallium we need to make these huge inefficient panels, How are we gaining energy independence?

[Kellis91789]

The higher cost is justifiable for space-based use since it is so expensive to lift a kg into orbit.

For ground-based use, where the area and weight involved are less of an issue, cheaper cells like thin-film make more sense.

For applications in between — top of a motorhome or semi-truck or even family car — it will be interesting to see how the higher cost vs. smaller weight+area issues compare.