AVA to mass produce low cost solar panels

January 24, 2008

AVA low cost solar panels
Photo: AVA Solar

Colorado based, AVA Solar inc has developed a system of mass producing low cost, high efficiency solar panels. The panels are expected to retail for approximately $2 per watt, bringing the cost of producing solar electricity down to approximately equivelent to grid power.

The panels are expected to begin production at the beginning of 2009. The current factory is expected to produce enough panels per year to produce 200 Megawatts of electricity. This is equivalent to 40,000 new US homes every year that could be supplied with clean green power.

The technology has been developed by W. S. Sampath, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University.

Prof. Sampath has developed an efficient automated manufacturing process using thin cadmium telluride film instead of the more expensive standard crystalline silicon. The production can also be performed at a much higher rate, further reducing the overall cost of the panels.

See all the technical details at the AVA website link below.

Website: AVA Solar



Written by Craig · Filed Under Energy, Environment, Technology 

Comments

Got something to say?