MI 2020 Solutions FINAL

SECTION 02
SECTION RENEWABLE 01 | ENERGY
09
ATACAMA MODULES,
SYSTEMS &
TECHNOLOGY CENTER
(ATAMOSTEC)
CHILE
DE,FR
The Atacama Desert, in the north
of Chile has the highest levels
of solar irradiation in the world.
However, this region faces a
number of specific challenges
which effects the scale-up of
the use of photovoltaics. This
include high levels of ultra violet
radiation, temperature over
the solar panels of up to 70°c
degrees, dust, water scarcity and
a high seismic activity. In 2016
the Chilean Government funded
a consortium involving several
Chilean Universities, Fraunhofer
(Germany), the National Solar
Energy Institute (France) and 19
companies to carry out applied
research and development. The
consortium aims to adapt and
develop appropriate photovoltaic
technologies for desert zone
conditions and high solar
irradiation, in terms of durability
and expected yields, with the
target to reduce the energy cost
level by the year 2025.
10
BREAKTHROUGH’S
IN SOLAR CONVERSION
EFFICIENCIES
Japan aims to reduce the cost
of solar power generation to
$0.06 per kWh by 2030 through
its innovation programme. As
part of the programme, several
breakthroughs have been
achieved in this technology area.
Sharp Corporation has achieved
one of the world’s highest
conversion efficiency for a solar
module (31.17% for 968 cm2). A
triple-junction compound was
used to capture a wider range of
the spectrum of sunlight.
Kaneka Corporation has also
achieved the world’s highest
conversion efficiency in a
crystalline silicon solar cell of
practical size (26.33% for 180
cm²). By combining heterojunction
technology, low resistance
electrode technology, and a
back-contact structure achieved
capture of more solar energy.
JAPAN
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