First Generation Crystalline Silicon c-Si

The first generation includes established technologies. Silicon-based systems make up around 90% of the current PV market and most are manufactured in Europe and Asia. The raw materials (silicon wafers) are expensive, shortages have had a massive impact on price, and high purity is required, therefore over half the cost is that of the silicon wafers. Nonetheless the cost per watt has decreased exponentially over the last few decades, leading to module retail prices of arormd 4.45 in the USA and 4.34 in Europe, due to increases in efficiency, which have now reached 23% for modules and 25% in the laboratory.  

The International Energy Agency (lEA) has estimated the energy payback time of c-Si PV modules, incorporated as a grid-connected, rooftop installation, as 1.5-2 years, based on 2006 figures for the cost of a 13-14% efficient c-Si-based system, irradiated at 1700 kWh m yr and a performance ratio (which accounts for losses in the system, due to 

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