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The Fully Charged Podcast

The Untold Story Of Solar Power & Why It Took Decades To Take Off! | With Oxford PV

Jan 20, 2025
In this engaging discussion with Chris Case, CTO of Oxford PV, listeners dive into the remarkable potential of perovskite tandem solar cells. Chris shares the captivating history of solar power, tracing its origins and the challenges it faced for decades. They reveal how innovations during the space race kickstarted advancements and discuss why solar is now the cheapest energy source. The conversation highlights the role of government initiatives in the rise of residential solar and examines the future of solar technology and manufacturing.
01:03:57

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The historical evolution of solar power illustrates significant technological advancements, making it the cheapest energy source today.
  • Perovskite tandem solar cells represent a groundbreaking innovation in efficiency, promising conversion rates approaching 33% and reshaping solar technology.

Deep dives

The Historical Context of Solar Power

Solar power has emerged as the cheapest form of energy due in part to significant historical advances and material innovations. The costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology have dropped approximately 90% since 2010, with a notable 30% decline over the past year alone. The conversation highlights the development of the first solar panel utilizing selenium in the 1870s, which operated at a mere half percent efficiency, rendering it impractical. The narrative reveals that over decades, advancements in materials and technology, especially the transition to silicon, have paved the way for the solar sector’s current competitiveness in the energy market.

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