With the development of photovoltaic industry , the cost problem is getting attention. In recent years, the United States in terms of cost of photovoltaic power generation raised concerns , and was widely reference. To this end , the reporter interviewed the State Grid Energy Research Institute experts SUN Li Ping .

Sun Li Ping introduced in the U.S. Department of Energy under the auspices of the U.S. Renewable Energy Laboratory solar power joint including the American Association, the American Solar Energy Industries Association , Lawrence laboratories and many other authoritative bodies , carried out to achieve the expected goal of solar power generated effects and face research challenges .

Studies suggest that solar dc to ac power inverter power will become an important source of electricity . Although the share of solar power accounts for only a small fraction of U.S. electricity , which was mainly due to the history of its high price caused. In recent years, the price of solar power has achieved a rapid decline in the United States and some parts of the world have achieved a solar power grid parity . Sunshot Action Plan proposes that solar power by 2030 and 2050 respectively 14% and 27% of U.S. electricity supply , and that to achieve this goal requires solar power technological progress and innovation , thus promoting the rapid decline in the cost of solar power .

" Reduce the cost of solar power is the basis to achieve these ambitious goals ." Sun Li Ping introduced residents rooftop PV system costs in 2010 from $ 6 / W, reduced to 2020 $ 1.5 / W ; commercial building roofing system costs from 2010 years, $ 5 / W, reduced to 2020 $ 1.25 / W ; massive ground station from 2010 to $ 4 / W, reduced to 2020 $ 1 / watt.

Sun Li Ping said , the study considered the current solar power technology and cost as well as reduce the cost of potential areas and methods. First, reduce the price of PV modules . Component-related materials from the manufacturing and transportation process and to improve the efficiency of assembly components and other aspects of price reduction . Semiconductor materials are the most complex and cost photovoltaic modules constitute the largest part of the proportion , accounting for the cost of crystalline silicon components 60%

Accounting for cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide component costs 8% to 22%. Poly crystalline silicon component material wafer thickness by reducing , minimizing silicon wafer production process losses, improve waste recycling capability to include low-cost silicon purification technology . Thin-film PV modules and concentrator photovoltaic alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV modules is an important way to reduce the cost of semiconductor materials .

Second is to reduce the price of photovoltaic systems related electrical equipment . Related power equipment including inverters and transformers. In 2010, the cost of large-scale power plant inverters 0.2 to $ 0.3 / W ; residential and commercial rooftop PV system inverter cost $ 0.4 / watt. Ways to reduce their costs , including large-scale applications , the development of technologically advanced components and improve reliability .

Main Approaches include: basic power electronics components to achieve level problem solving , breaking caused by different coefficients of thermal expansion of the material problems of low reliability , the use of stored energy , reactive power compensation and other means to develop high-density access photovoltaic technology , the development of new technology to improve the efficiency of solar charge controller power generation system , the inverter integrated into the assembly thereby reducing installation costs.