Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES) has released a technical white paper, entitled ‘A Practical Guide to PV Efficiency‘, in response to the breakthroughs in PV technology efficiency records the industry saw in June 2016.

The paper explores the meaning behind PV efficiency records, the relevance of PV module efficiency in system design and how increases in PV efficiency affects the PV industry.

This article provides information and clarification on the link between PV modules available on the market and PV technology efficiency breakthroughs.

June 2016 saw efficiency records of monocrystalline silicon modules, polycrystalline silicon modules and thin-film CIGS cells being broken, with the new records being 24.1%, 19.5% and 22.6% respectively.

It also explains the meaning of PV module efficiency and the different loss factors in typical PV modules which results in the overall module efficiency. The relationship between a module’s rated capacity and conversion efficiency is also clarified, demonstrating how module efficiency affects the module’s dimension and rated capacity and how these parameters influence system design.

The paper is available here.