In a holographic planar concentrator, holographic film diffracts usable frequencies of sunlight, and guides that energy toward strips of solar cells, resulting in a solar module that uses one third as much solar-cell material as conventional modules, yet generates the same, or more, kilowatt-hours. Worldwide solar-energy output has grown dramatically in recent years, particularly in Europe, China, and the U.S. The total output from all solar installations worldwide, however, still remains around 7 GW, only a tiny fraction of the world's energy requirement. High material and manufacturing costs, low solar-module efficiency, and a worldwide shortage of refined silicon all have limited the scale of solar-power development required to effectively compete against coal and liquid fossil fuels.
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