The earth receives more energy from the sun in one hour than the whole world uses in an entire year. Source: www.solarbuzz.com
300 terawatts of power would be generated If Africa’s Sahara desert was covered with 10% efficient solar modules. This is more than twenty times current global consumption
Transforming the Global Energy Mix:
The Path Through 2100 Source: German Advisory Council on Global Change
What is a solar cell?
A solar cell is a device that converts energy from the sun into direct electrical current.
When were solar cells first deployed?
Charles Fritts constructed the first solar cell in 1883. His work using Selenium cells had conversion efficiencies under 1%. The first significant application of solar cells occurred in the 1960’s when photovoltaics became a source of power for satellites.
How big is the solar market today?
According to solarbuzz.com, worldwide manufacture of PV worldwide reached a consolidated 3,436 megawatts in 2007.
What are the largest solar energy countries?
Germany has created numerous incentives to foster solar development and installation. According to solarbuzz.com, approximately 47% of all global photovoltaic installations are in Germany. This is largely a result of feed-in tariffs that facilitate profitable solar energy production and sale to the electrical grid. The US solar market grew 57% in 2007. It is still only the fourth largest global market behind, Germany, Japan, and Spain.
What is the growth rate of solar energy?
Solar energy has grown between 25%-30% annually during the last 15 years. This growth is driven by reductions of costs via new technologies and more recent the rapid rise in non-renewable forms of energy such as oil and natural gas.
How much does solar energy cost?
The cost to produce solar energy varies based on many factors. They include the type of technology utilized, the cost of both the solar modules and the actual installation, incentives from local and national governments, and the intensity of the sun or the amount of sunlight in a given location. In the United States, unsubsidized installation of solar energy costs $ 7-9 / watt. This results in a cost of approximately 25-35 cents / kWh. Government subsidies reduce Photovoltaic system installation cost to a little as $4 / Watt or 10-12 cents / kWh. This is competitive with electricity from the local power company in many states.
What is the lowest cost technology?
There is a tradeoff between conversion efficiency and cost per Watt when comparing the largest solar technologies: crystalline silicon and deposited thin film modules. Commercial mono- and poly-crystalline modules typically have conversion efficiencies between 15–22%. These modules cost approximately $ 4.75 per Watt in both the United States and Europe. Commercial thin film modules typically have lower solar conversion rates in the range of 6–14%. However significantly lower thin film manufacturing and materials costs result in a lower purchase price on a per Watt basis. Recent quotes for thin film modules were approximately $1.00 per Watt less that crystalline modules.
What does Sencera produce?
Sencera is focused on the thin film photovoltaic module market. Sencera utilizes its proprietary Viper™? Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition Platform to create amorphous silicon thin film modules. A second generation high efficiency tandem module containing both amorphous and micro crystalline silicon layers is well under development.
How can I purchase or distribute Sencera’s solar modules?
Sencera is building its first 35MW thin film module factory in Charlotte, North Carolina. First commercial sales are expected in Summer 2009.
Is Sencera accepting Investment?
Sencera is a private company that was 100% self-funded by its founders. In November 2007, the company accepted its first outside investment from the Quercus Trust in order to streamline our time to market.
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