Solar panel achieves high efficiency
A
SunPower Corp product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 19, 2007
Sandia National Laboratories rated the SunPower 96-cell solar panel as the most-efficient commercially available, mass-produced panel ever tested at the lab .
Sandia National Laboratories measured SunPower's SPR-315 solar panel at the highest recorded conversion efficiency ever tested by Sandia for a commercially available, mass produced solar panel.
This announcement follows recent renewable energy industry accolades from Photon Magazine and Energy Focus in the first quarter of 2007.
Sandia National Laboratories, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, rated the newly-released SunPower 96-cell solar panel as the most-efficient commercially available, mass-produced panel ever tested at the lab .
Sandia measured the actual power output of the SunPower 315W nameplate-rated solar panel at 321.65W, giving the panel an unprecedented [back-up] module efficiency of 19.7%.
Photon Magazine's February 2007 "Buyers Market Module Survey" concluded that SunPower holds the efficiency record for solar cells and panels made in series production.
SunPower's SPR-315 panels use the company's new Gen 2 solar cells, rated at 22% conversion efficiency.
ENF published a study that ranked SunPower solar panels as the number one photovoltaic brand in the world, owing to a combination of excellent product quality and good value for the money.
The ENF study surveyed hundreds of directors of solar photovoltaic installation companies in 45 countries.
Recognition from these highly respected industry labs and analysts validates that SunPower technology offers the highest cell and panel efficiency -- up to 50% greater than conventional solar technology and up to 100% higher than commercial thin film panels.
These performance results translate into much lower electric bills and significantly better carbon emissions savings for SunPower customers.
Higher efficiency also reduces system installation and sales costs, as more power can be generated with fewer panels compared to conventional or thin film technology.
"We are honoured that SunPower products have been awarded top honours by such respected institutions as Sandia National Laboratories, Photon Magazine, and ENF, and by the many engineers, solar installers and integrators surveyed", said Dr Richard Swanson, SunPower Chief Technology Officer, founder and President.
"This recognition underscores the enormous emphasis that we place on product performance -- and customers' appreciation of the value and quality we deliver".
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