In its recent announcement, SunPower Corp. said that its new E19 Series solar panels are available in a 96-cell or 72-cell configuration, boasting a record level of efficiency of at least 19 percent.
To achieve the efficiency, the company reported that it had developed all-black solar cells that produce 3 percent more surface area while cutting down on the amount of unused space in them. An anti-reflective coating further helps the cell gather light when the sun is at less than ideal angles.
"SunPower, now celebrating our 25th anniversary, has the expertise and experience to deliver the technology needed to reach this milestone. I'm very proud that we continue to exceed industry standards with this new E19 Series product line," said CEO Tom Werner.
As the solar energy industry continues to develop, companies that produce increasingly efficient photovoltaic panels and other products may be among the best-positioned to thrive. In recent years, solar power has been moving increasingly close to achieving the long-sought goal of cost parity with fossil fuels.
