Cost of solar panels could fall further

23rd Mar 2012

The cost of solar panels has declined dramatically over the past three years – a trend that an expert believes will not abate any time soon.

Conrad Burke, general manager of the DuPont Innovalight unit, suggests that solar panels are now being constructed more cheaply than many other consumer electronics.

DuPont Innovalight is responsible for developing technologies and materials that enable panels to operate more effectively by improving the photon to electron conversion efficiency.

Estimates suggest that DuPont materials are in 70 per cent of solar panels installed across the world.

Burke explained to Bloomberg: "Right now it would be cheaper to put 40-inch TVs on your roof than solar panels, which are much less complicated."

The reason TV sets are so cheap is because there are several manufacturers creating them, therefore leading to greater competition that ultimately benefits consumers.

This could soon be the case for solar panels as well, highlighted Burke, as other major industries such as mass mobile phone production have also benefited from declining prices.

He pointed to a growing demand for solar power, predicting that the sale of materials provided by DuPont will hit US$2 billion by 2014 after US$1.4 billion last year.

DuPont believes that by 2035, global demand for energy will rise by around 40 per cent, meaning we will have to look for alternative sources for our power.

It seems that some countries are already turning to renewables to meet their needs, as in 2010 nearly 45 per cent of Brazil's energy needs were met in this way.

This compares to just 13 per cent worldwide.

Thomas M Connelly, executive vice-president and chief innovation officer for DuPont, commented: "We have to work right now to gain grid parity for solar and wind power … we must transform these energy sources from the margins to the mainstream."

These sentiments were echoed by Eduardo W Wanick, president for DuPont Latin America, who pointed to the "tremendous opportunities" that solar power presents.

Australia is taking steps to improve its use of renewables, as data centre operator NEXTDC Limited recently announced plans to install the country's biggest privately-owned rooftop photovoltaic solar system.

The system looks set to cost around $1.2 million to install and is the first of many projects planned by the firm over the coming months.
 
Posted by Mike Peacock

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: