The developing world, where 44 percent of people lack access to electricity, could soon be one of the biggest markets for solar power, according to participants at the Solar Power International conference in California. To date, just 1 percent of solar panel production has been installed in poor nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In addition to finding financing to help low-income residents install solar panels, a major challenge will be to purchase and replace the batteries to store electricity at night and on cloudy days, said the experts.
Meanwhile, US firm SunPower Corp. announced that it has produced another record-breaking solar panel with a 20.4 percent total area efficiency. The new 96-cell, 333-watt solar panel is comprised of SunPower's third generation solar cell technology that offers a minimum cell efficiency of 23 percent. In addition, the larger area cells are cut from a 165 mm diameter ingot and include an anti-reflective coating for maximum power generation. With a total panel area of 1.6 square meters, including the frame, SunPower's 20.4 percent panel achieved the highest efficiency rating of a full sized solar panel.
What do you think prevents solar from taking off in India? Why, despite so many studies and reports, are investors hesitant? What innovative financing will do the job?
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There is some amount of interest following government offer to buy renewable power at Rs 12 per unit. The feed in tarriff could be an incentive that can encourage more private participation which alone can generate the kind of power the country needs.
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