Replies

Thanks for the ping!
Based on the shear magnitude of our energy consumption, it is still doubtful that solar will ever play a major role as a primary source of energy. Nevertheless, given the myriad applications where solar cells are already used, this potential improvement in technology and efficiency is still very significant.

If it gets to 10% I would be surprised. Solar becomes a "continuous" source only when combined with sufficient energy storage to fill in ALL of the output gaps. But it makes a fine supplemental source, and its peak output corresponds to some peak usage profiles, but not others. It simply cannot work as a baseload source. For that we have to go back to the real continuous sources - hydro, coal and oil, gas, and nuclear.

As for this particular article, higher efficiency reduces collection area, but not the other disadvantages. Clouds will still reduce output significantly, if perhaps less than older cells. However, the ability to produce electricity from lower-energy photons will broaden the utility of these new cells, when (if?) they finally get them out the door.