What’s the science behind the inability to reach this type of efficiency?

I wouldn't say nonsensical.... Fire setbacks are if firefighters ever have to get on your roof, that have room to move and walk without tripping over the panels.

What's your actual kwh usage?

Considering that the record from 9 years ago is 37.9%, this will take like 20 years to be for consumers.

Almost all PV is connected to the grid, there's no point in having a battery unless you're totally off the electric grid, in which case obviously you need more infrastructure, like a backup generator, than what you'd need in a regular PV installment.

From the article, previous records were 39.2% in 2020 by NREL and 37.9% in 2013 by the Sharp Corporation of Japan. So its safe to say it would take a while to reach the mass consumer market.

That maximum is functionally impossible. Functional limit is in the 40-49% range so we’re already most of the way there.

My roof has a bunch of facets that makes it difficult to get a lot of panels up there. Not to mention the rules about panels have to be minimum distance from the edges.

You joke, but I know people that got solar, didn’t think to store it, and are upset that they don’t have power at night. As stupid as it sounds, never underestimate peoples lack of understanding.

Coal just died even harder.. (provided this new tech is mass producible)

Solar is already dirt cheap at ~20% efficiency..

Oh, just need a couple 6v kirklands!

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22%

Same here but I have the roof space - unfortunately there’s absolutely nonsensical code that sates panels must be placed a certain distance from the roof ridge and also can’t be too close to the edge meaning that I can only use about 30% of my roof space. So If I max out my entire allowable roof space I only get about 70% of my power needs (even with everything in the house being high efficiency such as new appliances and led lighting etc).

Having panels that are twice as efficient (which is what this development means in real terms) would easily solve that issue.

For us dumb dumbs, what efficiency level is the typical retail panel today?

My roof is maybe 40% covered, and it generates 106% of my electricity use. Are you super shaded? Or is your electricity use just insane?

"Couple of marine batteries should do the trick"

Do you have a battery?

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So even though this comes from US research will it be mass produced in China?

For those who don’t like my cynical comment, here is a link to the history: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/solar_timeline.pdf Which includes major US Dept of Energy and other US funding - although not exclusive US. First invented at Bell Labs. current production 70% China, 20% other Asian countries, 3% US.

dyson sphere program

We just need to cover the whole sun in a sphere of these things. Oh and a long enough wire to reach Earth.

Literally impossible lmao

With my roof I can’t fit enough modern panels to provide 100% of my electricity requirements.

These would do nicely for me.

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Never knew why, now I have the answer without googling. I'm lazy, so thank you

I have high hopes that humanity will reach that maximum value as tech gets smaller. I wonder how much efficiency is reduced under heavy cloud cover?