From Cell to Module
Suniva is focused on the design and manufacture of high efficiency silicon based photovoltaic cells and modules marketed as the ARTisun® and Optimus® product series. ARTisun® series solar cells are two steps upstream in the value chain from the end user or consumer of solar power. Our latest ARTisun® Select series cells, the first in the world to be made with ion-implantation, are the "brains" inside our Optimus® series high-powered modules. Suniva offers fully "Buy America" compliant modules containing over 80% U.S. made content; American technology from an American leader in global solar photovoltaics.
Boosting solar cell efficiency can have a dramatic impact on the entire value chain, from requiring less starting raw material (polysilicon) to reducing the module area required for systems. A higher efficiency cell will mean the same number of cells will deliver more power per module or conversely; the same power output can be achieved with fewer cells, meaning less ingot is required, and ultimately, less polysilicon is required for the same power output.
Higher efficiency cells lower the module cost and the balance of system costs for the same power requirement in any solar PV installation. Also, higher efficiency cells increase the amount of power that can be generated within a fixed footprint, critical for applications where space is limited such as rooftops.
Suniva's plan is to increase cell efficiency to 20+% using low cost processes and no exotic materials, so that fewer cells are needed to build modules of comparable output, at a better cost. Reducing the size of modules has the effect of reducing the cost of module materials, module support structure and installation time. Eventually, when cell thickness is reduced from 200 µm (microns) to about 150 µm, while maintaining cell efficiency, raw material costs, the largest single component by far in the cost equation, can be cut even more.
Learn more about the technology
Behind Our Cell Design
