Sunpower, an American company, sells the solar module with the highest efficiency of 19.6%.  Number three Sanyo  HIT technology combines a crystalline silicon cell with an additional amorphous silicon layer. The difference between the leader and the number 10 is 3.4%; Although a small difference, it could be relatively significant. The difference could mean you will use less space on your roof to achieve the same system power or energy yield. It also means you need less Balance Of System components such as mounting hardware. Does it  pay to use the higher efficient modules?

This ranking does not say anything about the module cost per Watt, nor about the most important concern, the cost per produced solar kWh. It could mean that a module of lower efficiency is so much cheaper that the extra cost for other system components (more frame, cables, installation work) can easily be covered by the money saved on the modules. Also, some modules perform better in real life conditions rather than in the standard test condition as mentioned on the their certified datasheet.

All but one of the  the top 10  modules are manufactured in Asia.  The number one, Sunpower, is from the US, but their cells and modules are manufactured in the Philipines.   Several well known brands did not make it into the Top-10 as most are  young and unknown brands.It will be interesting to see what market position these young companies obtain.   The future will tell as the top 10 listings  will continue to change.

Solar Power is quickly becoming competitive with new nuclear, new natural gas, and, soon, new coal. We are starting to realize grid parity in solar all with technologies available today.

It takes decades to install one nuclear power plant. Solar, a modular technology, can be produced and installed at a pace far faster than most energy technologies.

This year, the U.S. industry may install 2 gigawatts of solar. The last nuclear power plant to come online in the U.S., Watts Bar 1, has a capacity of 1.1 gigawatts — but that took 23 years to complete, not two years.

Natural gas peaker plants, which are idle most of the day are an expensive option for utilities.

Over the last few years, 153 coal plants have been abandoned, in large part due to uncertainty over environmental regulations.

So what does all this mean? It means that the notion that “solar is too expensive” doesn’t hold up anymore. When financing providers can offer a home or business owner solar electricity for less than the cost of their current services; when utilities start investing in solar themselves to reduce operating costs; and when the technology starts moving into the range of new nuclear and new coal, it’s impossible to ignore.

According to SunPower’s Tom Dinwoodie: “The cross-over has occurred.”

Tulsa Tech and Sun City Solar Teach On The Job Solar Electric to Students

The Tulsa Technology Center and Sun City Solar Energy have formed a work-based program for the Technology Center’s electrical students. Master Electrician Larry Batson from Tulsa Technology and Installation Manager Garret Roth of Sun City Solar Energy will teach students how to install solar electric systems on actual solar installation projects.  The program will allow students to work in a hands-on environment. Students will have the opportunity to learn solar electrical concepts for several different solar electric system applications.

The Solar Installation program will provide needed job skills for the students and serve as a resource for the growing solar energy industry. The students will be evaluated on a regular basis by Sun City Solar professionals to ensure compliance with industry standards.  The program was developed by Tulsa Technology and Sun City Solar Energy jointly.

For more information about this program, contact:

Garret Roth, Installation Manager, Sun City Solar Energy at 918-494-0886

Larry Batson, Master Electrician and teacher at Tulsa Technology Center 918-955-0047