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US solar makers say tandem panels could narrow China's lead
Коротко
Solar panel producers in the United States say they are close to perfecting tandem solar panels, which add second and third layers of material and could generate 25% more energy than most devices available today. Companies including Tandem PV, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells say they are preparing to sell such panels commercially after testing them and obtaining certifications. Buyers' cost and durability concerns, federal permitting politics and China's roughly 80% share of the solar market are cited as barriers.
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Producers of solar panels in the United States say they are on the cusp of a technological breakthrough that could upend the industry and even threaten China's grip on it, according to reports from Cartersville, Georgia. [ 2 , 3 ]
The manufacturers are racing to develop panels that can generate 25% more energy than most such devices available today. The technology, known as tandem solar, involves adding second and third layers of material, like a layer cake, so panels convert more of the sun's radiance into electricity. If successful, the reports say, the advance would let the world meet rapidly rising demand for electricity using less land and roof area. [ 2 , 3 ]
Researchers have worked on tandem panels for many years, but several companies, including Tandem PV, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells, now say they are preparing to sell them commercially after testing the devices and obtaining certifications from technical bodies. “It is the next frontier,” said Mike Carr, executive director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition. He acknowledged that Chinese companies were also working on tandem solar but said their technology “is not better than ours and maybe even behind us.” The New York Times summarised the same industry position, saying manufacturers believe a more efficient panel could help the United States reclaim ground it lost. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The new panels and their makers face several challenges, the reports say. Power producers will be reluctant to buy devices that are too expensive, or until manufacturers convince them that tandem panels will not degrade more quickly than conventional ones. US politics is another barrier: Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration have made it hard for new solar farms to obtain federal permits while trying to increase the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power plants. [ 2 , 3 ]
China remains the dominant player, controlling about 80% of the solar panel market by supplying either panels or their components. The reports note that China previously devastated the US solar panel manufacturing industry by offering devices at prices far lower than those of companies in the United States and elsewhere. [ 2 , 3 ]
Почему это важно
If the panels can be sold commercially at acceptable cost and durability, they could deliver more electricity from the same land and roof area, which matters as demand for power rises. The effort is aimed at an industry in which China supplies about 80% of panels or components, and US manufacturers still face federal permitting constraints and reluctant buyers.
Ключевые факты
- US solar panel producers say they are on the cusp of a technological breakthrough that could upend the industry and threaten China's grip on it. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The technology, known as tandem solar, adds second and third layers of material, like a layer cake, so panels convert more of the sun's radiance into electricity. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The manufacturers are racing to develop panels that can generate 25% more energy than most such devices available today. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Companies including Tandem PV, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells say they are preparing to sell tandem panels commercially after testing them and obtaining certifications from technical bodies. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Mike Carr, executive director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America Coalition, said Chinese companies are also working on tandem solar but that their technology is “not better than ours and maybe even behind us.” [ 2 , 3 ]
- Power producers are expected to be reluctant to buy the new devices while they are expensive or until manufacturers show they will not degrade more quickly than conventional panels. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration have made it hard for new solar farms to obtain federal permits while trying to increase the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power, according to the reports. [ 2 , 3 ]
- China controls about 80% of the solar panel market by supplying either panels or their components, and previously undercut US manufacturers on price. [ 2 , 3 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
- US solar panel makers say they are close to perfecting a more efficient panel that could help the United States regain ground it lost. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The new approach is known as tandem solar and involves adding layers of material to conventional panels. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Several companies, among them Tandem PV, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells, say they are preparing to sell tandem panels commercially after tests and certifications. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The reports say China supplies about 80% of the solar panel market, through panels or components. [ 2 , 3 ]
Пока неясно
- Whether the tandem panels will reach the market on the timeline the companies suggest is not established. The documents say the companies are preparing to sell commercially soon but give no dates, prices or order volumes.
- Whether the panels will perform as claimed once installed at scale. The 25% energy gain and the certification claims rest on what the manufacturers and a coalition executive say; the documents cite no independent test results.
- Which outlet's account is independent. The Boston Globe and Seattle Times articles carry the same text, so they are not independent confirmations of each other's details.
- How US federal permitting policy will affect these specific manufacturers. The documents describe permit difficulties for new solar farms generally, without saying how they bear on tandem panel production or sales.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- The New York Times publishes a summary saying US manufacturers believe they are close to perfecting a more efficient solar panel. [ 1 ]
- The Boston Globe publishes a fuller account from Cartersville, Georgia, naming tandem solar and the companies involved. [ 2 ]
- The Seattle Times publishes the same account with the 25% efficiency figure and the same obstacles. [ 3 ]