European Efficiency

The European efficiency in photovoltaics refers to the effectiveness with which solar modules in Europe convert sunlight into electrical energy. This value is an important indicator of the performance of solar cells and modules produced or used in Europe.

Factors influencing European efficiency:

  • Technology: The type of solar cells used (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film) significantly affects the efficiency.
  • Production methods: Advances in production technology lead to continuous improvements in efficiency.
  • Material quality: The quality of the materials used, such as silicon or other semiconductors, directly impacts the efficiency.
  • Climate conditions: Different climate conditions in Europe (sunlight, temperature) affect the performance of solar modules.
  • Aging: With age, the performance and therefore the efficiency of solar modules slightly decrease.

Importance of European efficiency:

  • Economics: A high efficiency means that more electricity can be generated from the same area, increasing the economics of PV systems.
  • Competitiveness: A high European efficiency strengthens the competitiveness of the European solar industry in the global market.
  • Climate goals: Higher efficiencies contribute to the faster achievement of European climate goals, as less area is needed for electricity generation.

Promotion of European efficiency:

To further increase European efficiency, various measures are being taken:

  • Research and development: Promoting research projects for the development of new, efficient solar cell materials and technologies.
  • Quality standards: The introduction and enforcement of high-quality standards for solar modules.
  • Certification: The certification of solar modules according to European standards.
  • Cooperations: Collaboration between research institutions, companies, and politics to bundle expertise and resources.

Current developments:

The European efficiency of solar modules is continuously increasing. Innovative technologies such as PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) or heterojunction solar cells are achieving ever higher efficiencies. In addition, there is an increasing focus on the development of bifacial solar modules that can utilize rear-side sunlight as well.

Relevant keywords: Solar cells, Solar modules, Efficiency, Efficiency, PERC, Heterojunction, Bifacial