New Thin Film Solar Cells 'achieve 13.4 per cent efficiency'

14th Mar 2012

The efficiency of solar cells is something that many scientists are striving to improve – and it seems that a team in California has managed just that.

SoloPower, a San Jose-based manufacturer of thin film solar cells and modules, claims to have achieved an aperture area efficiency of 13.4 per cent – a record for the type of systems it produces.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory was responsible for measuring the level of efficiency, which SoloPower believes could benefit energy customers all over the world.

"This benchmark is a testament to our technology team and to our commitment to continuously pushing the envelope in power and performance, while reducing costs for our customers," noted chief executive officer Tim Harris.

Earlier this week, experts based at Perdue University in the US revealed they had taken steps to make solar power more effective through the development of new cell types.

They combined nanotechnology with natural materials, which has the potential to lower costs during the production process and make solar electricity a major player in the production of energy.

Copper zinc tin sulphide was used during the production process before being synthesised into nanocrystals, in a bid to make the cells as inexpensive as possible.

Chemical engineering professor Rakesh Agrawal pointed out that the cost of the cells has been a major consideration for the team when constructing the cells.

Erik Sheets, a graduate student working in the lab, said: "It is way cheaper. Most of the market right now is silicon solar cell, and it is really expensive and uses a high-energy process."

The cells constructed by SoloPower use flexible copper indium gallium (di)selenide, which has been made possible by efficiency improvement projects over the past two years.

Chief technology officer Dr Mustafa Pinarbasi emphasised that the efficiency of the cells has been increased from 11.2 to 13.4 per cent, while new processes have been implemented in the roll-to-roll production line.

He identified that a "strong pipeline of improvements" are still to be made over the coming months.

It is not only the cells themselves that are being improved by scientists, but also the form of the panels themselves.

Marco Rosa-Clot, a professor at Florence University, has developed solar panels that float on water, which will help address some of the issues that arise when trying to cool them down.

Furthermore, the modules are able to track the sun more effectively.

Posted by Mike Peacock

 

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: