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One of the long-standing criticisms of solar power is that photovoltaic cells and related equipment are not efficient enough. Well, that argument is quickly losing its own efficiency.

It seems that each new generation of solar cells is significantly more efficient than the last. Case in point, the new HIT Power 220A solar module from SANYO North America Corporation. The 220A (for lack of a sexier name) features certified cell efficiency of 19.8%, and module efficiency of 17.4%, which SANYO says makes it among the best the industry has to offer.

Want to compare? Well, look at the HIT Power 215, SANYO's previous model, which offers cell efficiency of 19.3% and module efficiency of 17.1% That's already a jump in the few months since the 215 was released.
 
I'll let the company describe how their new product works: "SANYO HIT Power® solar modules are made of 72 hybrid HIT cells that combine two best-of-breed solar technologies -- high efficiency monocrystalline silicon with ultra-thin layers of amorphous silicon. The monocrystalline silicon is sandwiched between the amorphous-Si to offer superior conversion efficiency, excellent temperature characteristics and considerable output under diffuse and low light conditions."

For more information on SANYO's solar line, click here.