14 DAY TRIAL // Sanyo's been one of the best-known names in solar-panel research for quite some time now, but it seems that they've managed to take this technology to a whole new level, since they've just revealed the fact that they've started mass producing the world's most efficient solar panels. According to the Japanese company, their brand-new HIT solar cells can reach a conversion efficiency of 21.6%, which slightly better than the previous generation panels, only capable of reaching a 21.1 percent conversion efficiency.
In addition to this, by combining the highest conversion efficiency cells with a new tab design and anti-reflection coated glass, SANYO has also been able to produce a module with a high conversion efficiency of 19.0% (HIT-N series), which makes it possible to generate a greater amount of electricity in areas with limited space, such as on the roof of a house etc.
Furthermore, beside their high conversion efficiency, HIT solar cells are also touted as having excellent temperature characteristics, since their predicted electricity generated per year for the installation space is approximately 44% more than that of regular crystalline silicon solar cells, because the reduction in output caused by temperature increase is less.
Additionally, thanks to its bifacial generation structure, SANYO is also marketing the ‘HIT Double’ bifacial solar module allowing electricity to be generated from both sides of the cells.
The HIT-N240SE10 panels can deliver a maximum power of 240W, with voltage being set at 43.7V and amperage at 5.51A.
Naturally, they'll also take some space, since they measure 1,580 x 798 x 35mm and weighs around 15 kilos.
The HIT N panels will go on sale in Europe in February, 2011, but, unfortunately, Sanyo has not yet provided any pricing details for this high-efficiency panels (although we're pretty sure end-custoemers won't get to simply go out and buy these things from the store, but rather have them, installed by specialized companies).