June 1, 2018
How solar trackers boost PV energy production
Over time, solar panels have become increasingly efficient. The very first commercial silicon cells, produced in 1954, maxed out at?only 2 percent of sunlight converted, and sold for $25 apiece. Their low efficiency and high price resulted in a staggering $1,785 cost per watt at the time; adjusted for inflation, the total comes to $17,000. Today,?per-watt costs in utility-scale solar installations can be under $1, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.