Are sollar cell's (photovoltaic cells) efficiency going to increase a lot in the future?

Question

The question is because im thinking about buying photovoltaic panels, but if the efficiency is expected to increase a lot in the near future, id rather wait.

Answer 1

Increasing efficiency of solar cells along with lowering costs is the main focus of research and development in the field. The research is actually towards spray on solar cells that are able to convert infrared light into electricity and are cheaper and more flexible compared to photovoltaic.

As for you waiting for the next big thing, there will always be something better in the near future.

Answer 2

Just wait as they are very expensive now...

Answer 3

Solar cells are already incredibly efficient at gathering energy, but are expensive to produce. Current solar cells that are sold commercially only collect light at a limited range of wavelengths, and are therefore not very efficient. NASA has developed solar cells that collect every wavelength of light and are amazingly efficient, in fact they are used on the Mars rover that has now been operating for years after it was supposed to run out of energy. This is because the solar cells are so efficient. The only catch is they cost millions of dollars. Research is currently being conducted to find a cheaper way of making these cells, and is making progress.