Without doubt, solar panels can cut your energy bill significantly but technological development in the industry continues strong as the race to develop the most efficient solar cell keeps manufacturers on their toes. One of the most promising developments is that of GE solar panels, (otherwise known as germanium solar panels), which promise to revolutionize everyday solar power in the future.
The first time that germanium was used in solar technology was in 1951, when the industry was still very much in its infancy. These types of solar cells are being used by NASA now to power satellites and spacecraft as they capture power directly from the sun in space. However, the cost of germanium is so high that it was practically impossible to market commercially – a single 4-inch germanium cell could cost NASA up to USD100. It is simply too small and the necessary-sized array would be too expensive to serve the needs of even a small cabin.
Now however, manufacturers have developed a solar cell which includes germanium as a third semi-conductor, the result of which is a much more highly-efficient cell for converting energy from sunlight into electricity. Regular silicon solar cells have an efficiency level of between 12 percent and 20 percent, but a multi-junction cell has three levels, each of which can capture energy from different areas of the light spectrum. It means that the potential energy-capture from the sun’s rays is increased dramatically.
Layer one is made of gallium indium phosphide and converts short-wave rays (like UV). The second layer is gallium arsenide while the final one is made of germanium, which can capture energy from infra red light. The calculated efficiency level of these cells is around 35 percent, though with concentrating photovoltaic cells it is believed to reach as high as 40 percent, more than double the rate of conventional cells.
That kind of efficiency could make a huge difference to the cost of running your home, but the sad fact is that the cost of the solar cells themselves still remains high. A new technique, developed by the University of Utah, has greatly reduced the waste that is built up during the cutting of germanium into the wafers used in cells. This reduction is expected to see the cost of germanium fall to around 10 per cent of the current cost (so around USD10 per 4-inch cell).
That is still high so it will be some time before you find a home powered by germanium solar panels but the continuing development of technology means that it may only be a few years before the cost drops again. As they are significantly lighter than conventional silicon solar cells, their weight on a roof, for example, will be much less, though their fragility currently makes them more prone to the elements.
Nevertheless, it can only be greeted as good news that higher-efficiency solar cells are in the pipeline, and even if it does cost a bit more, in the long run it could be worth the investment.
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