WHAT IS SUNDRIVE
SunDrive Solar is a Solar energy startup started by Vince Allen and David Hu. It offers unique solutions to reduce the cost of Solar cells by using easily available materials.
A HUMBLE BEGINNING FOR SUNDRIVE
Vince Allen, a PhD candidate studying at the University of New South Wales, had only one thing on his mind when he entered his garage along with his flatmates seven years ago. He wanted to bring about innovation in the solar industry.
Allen thought, ‘If I replace silver with copper, then my Solar cells will be much cheaper. Allen knew that it would be a challenge for him and his team because many companies previously tried this concept but failed to come up with a tangible product.
THE EUREKA MOMENT
Allen never gave up on his dream to come up with a solution to expensive solar panels. He instead decided to build his own device. He worked day and night on one idea after another, and Eureka! Finally found a technique that worked. In 2015, he co-launched SunDrive Solar with David Hu.
A RECORD-BREAKING 2021
Last week, Sundrive Solar cited official communication from the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin in Germany (ISFH) for evidence that they broke the record for the efficiency at which their design converted light to electricity. They achieved that because they stuck to the idea that copper is cheaper and more efficient than silver.
For many years in the past, Chinese companies have produced the most efficient solar cells globally. Longi Green Energy Co, a Chinese company, sold $8.4 million worth of solar cells last year. It held the previous record of solar cell efficiency at 25.26%. Compared to that, SunDrive Solar’s solar cells efficiency stood at 25.54%.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
The challenge for SunDrive Solar now would be to produce such cells on a larger scale. If they succeed in doing so, it could reduce the cost of solar panels.
The industry also would then be less dependent on silver. Allen, now 32, said about his product, “The thing about copper is that it is very abundant and 100 times cheaper than silver.”
Allen and his team have not yet decided on their further course of action. They might forge a partnership with larger manufacturers rather than mass produce solar cells themselves.
CONCLUSION
SunDrive Solar’s fantastic story is an example to all of us that if you have an idea that can work, then go ahead and give it a try. Success will come.
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