A new solar cell conversion efficiency world record has been set — an impressive 44.7% conversion efficiency was achieved by a solar cell created by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, with help from Soitec, CEA-Leti, and the Helmholtz Center Berlin. The new record surpasses the previous one of 44.4%, that was set just a couple of months ago by the Sharp Corporation.
The new solar cells — which are based on the utilization of a new solar cell structure with four solar subcells — are another step towards the widely shared (in the industry) goal of a solar cell possessing a conversion efficiency of at least 50%. Conversion efficiency refers to the percentage of the solar spectrum that is harnessed and converted into electrical energy — a 44.7% conversion efficiency means that 44.7% of the total solar spectrum, including infrared and ultraviolet, are converted into electricity by the new solar cells.
“World record solar cell with 44.7% efficiency, made up of four solar subcells based on III-V compound semiconductors for use in concentrator photovoltaics.” Image Credit: © Fraunhofer ISE