Race for solar efficiency is on: Panasonic eclipses SolarCity’s record panel days after announcement
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Panasonic edges out SolarCity, developing a 22.5 per cent efficient panel
BIRMINGHAM, U.K.—Just days after SolarCity announced it had developed the highest efficiency solar panel on the market, a product it intends to begin producing this month, Panasonic Eco Solutions has unveiled its own high-efficiency model capable of harnessing more energy than its American counterpart.
As the utility and residential solar markets expand, the corporate race for the highest efficiency panel is on.
Panasonic’s newest commercial-sized prototype recorded an efficiency of 22.5 per cent, inching past SolarCity’s, which recorded an efficiency of 22.04 per cent.
“The new panel efficiency record demonstrates once again Panasonic’s proven leadership in photovoltaics and our ongoing commitment to move the needle in advanced solar technology,” Daniel Roca, senior business developer at Panasonic Eco Solutions Europe, said.
The Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology confirmed the 72-cell, 270-watt panel’s efficiency. The panel incorporates a newly developed technology the company said will eventually be scaled into volume production.
Though the details about Panasonic’s latest solar breakthrough are sparse, the company said it would be discussing its new efficiency champ at the Solar Energy UK conference later this month.
