More Efficient Polymer Solar Cells Created

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Does this mean we can expect to see cheaper solar panels for alternative energy?
 
Scoobyshme said:
Does this mean we can expect to see cheaper solar panels for alternative energy?
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No.

A 20% increase in the efficiency of solar panels is like going from an 8 MPG car to a 10 MPG car, an improvement but far from efficient.
 
Scoobyshme said:
Does this mean we can expect to see cheaper solar panels for alternative energy?
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Eventually, yes. Be prepared to wait about ten to fifteen years for those savings! Cutting edge advances can take many years to become large scale manufacturing successes.

A 20% increase in efficiency is wonderful, but as Sam H posted, it is not a quantum leap forward, rather an incremental, step as is more often the case in such technological endeavours.

Solar energy is still quite expensive. Most small scale single family home systems have 15-20 year payback times. Most people won’t stay at the same location long enough to recoup their initial investment.
 
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