Suniva is focused on the design and manufacturing of high efficiency silicon based photovoltaic cells marketed as the ARTisun® product series and also markets high-power PV modules powered by our cells. ARTisun®solar cells offer the highest efficiency/power available in the marketplace.Suniva does not focus downstream on project development or PV system integration which are typically the areas of expertise of our customers.
To view a whitepaper by Suniva's Dr. Stephen Shea on themerits of using crystalline silicon versus other PV technologyplease click here.
Boosting solar cell efficiency can have a dramatic impact on the entire value chain, from requiring less starting raw material (polysilicon) to reducing the module area required for systems. A higher efficiency cell will mean the same amount of silicon will deliver more power per module or conversely, the same power output can be achieved with fewer cells/modules, meaning fewer monocrystalline silicon wafers are required for the same power output.
Higher efficiency cells enable modules to produce more power per unit or conversely, the same power can be generated with a smaller area. This enhances solar applications potential where limited rooftop space previously restricted or precluded it. Requiring a smaller module footprint area has the additional benefits of reducing support structure, wiring, labor and installation costs (also known as Balance of System or BOS costs).
Suniva's plan is to increase cell efficiency to 20+% so that modules made with these cells deliver high power and greater "power density". Increasing the output power of modules while not increasing their size or weight has the effect of reducing the cost of module materials per watt, module support structure and installation time and labor. In the future, Suniva has the technology to reduce cell thickness from 200 µm (microns) to about 150 µm while maintaining cell efficiency. Therefore raw material (high quality monocrystalline silicon) costs, the largest single component by far in the cost equation, can be reduced.
