The two technologies address different system constraints.
Consider an increase in module efficiency from ๐ฎ๐ฐ% to ๐ฎ๐ฑ%.
This is not a ๐ญ% relative improvement. It is one percentage point, equivalent to approximately ๐ฐ.๐ฎ% more nominal power from the same module area.
Commenting on cell efficiency, #๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ถ founder ๐๐ถ ๐ญ๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ผ stated that each additional percentage point could reduce total PV system costs by more than ๐ฑ%.
➡️ The actual reduction is project-specific, but the technical logic is relevant.
If the installed capacity remains fixed, higher module efficiency can reduce the number of modules, the occupied surface and part of the expenditure on structures, cabling and installation.
The production profile and battery requirement may remain substantially unchanged.
If the available surface is fixed, higher efficiency allows more PV capacity to be installed. Production may increase, but battery capacity still cannot be determined from module efficiency alone.
It depends on how much production coincides with consumption, how much can be exported and how much becomes surplus energy to be shifted to another period.
➡️ Module efficiency improves power density.
➡️ Battery storage manages the mismatch between production and consumption over time.
➡️ Higher module efficiency changes the available design options.
Only the production-consumption profile, operating constraints and economic objective determine whether storage can convert those options into additional value.
