Residential solar cell systems by Toshiba Corp

April 1, 2010 will have Toshiba Corp selling its residential solar cell systems that will use SunPower Corp’s monocrystalline silicon solar battery module. This isn’t an April Fools joke by the company, if that’s what you’re thinking. The company has decided to enter the residential solar cell system market to promote their electric appliance and smart grid businesses. In future, the company has also planned to sell their solar cell systems with “SCiB” lithium-ion batteries and smart meters. The solar cell system has all its devices purchased from other companies along with SunPower’s solar battery module, “SPR-210N-WHT-J,” that boasts a cell conversion efficiency of 21.5%. Added advantages include back-contact structure and the absence of an electrode on the surface.

Using SunPower’s solar battery module will sure pump up the heat between SunPower and Sanyo, the companies that have been competing for the highest conversion efficiency.
[Nikkeibp]