| RSS Web Feed for Renewable Energy UK |  | REUK Shop | Directory | Bookmark Site | About Us  

40 Percent Efficiency PV Solar Panels



40 Percent Efficiency PV Solar Panels

Spectrolab break 40% efficiency for PV solar panels

solar | news
Printer Friendly Version Print Article     

Spectrolab - a subsidiary of US giant Boeing - has set a new world record for terrestrial solar cell efficiency at 40.7%.

Using similar technology to that used in space-based solar cells (multi-junction solar cells), these new photovoltaic (PV) cells convert concentrated sunlight into electricity better than any previous cells. Solar panels made from these cells will achieve higher power output per surface area and use up less raw materials during manufacture than existing PV solar panels.

These cells offer almost double the efficiency of SunPower's soon to be released SPR-315 Solar Panels which rate an already impressive 22+% efficiency, far better than the 12-18% industry average.

Spectrolab 40% efficiency solar cells

Multi-Junction Solar Cell

The latest multi-junction solar cell technology has been used in these cells which enables more of the solar spectrum to be captured than is the case with conventional silicon solar cells. Each multi-junction solar cell is made of layers with each layer designed to capture one range of wavelengths of sunlight. This increases the number of photons whose band gaps are matched and so more sunlight is absorbed and converted into electric current increasing overall efficiency.

For example, if silicon is alloyed with carbon in a layer, the band gap increases and more blue light is absorbed. Conversely, if silicon is alloyed with germanium in another layer, the band gap is decreased and more red light is absorbed.

These new solar cells also use an optical concentrator to increase the intensity of the sunlight hitting each solar cell. More photons of light equals more electricity generated and so efficiency is further increased.

Multi-junction solar cells

The US Department of Energy believe that solar cells with such high efficiencies will eventually lead to installation costs of just $3 per watt and generate electricity at a competitive 8-10 cents per kWh. Spectrolab scientists believe that these multi-junction solar cells are capable of even higher efficiencies in the near future.
Article Last Modified: 15:00, 9th Jan 2007

Comment on this Article

If you have any comments on this article, please email them to neil@reuk.co.uk.


Recommended Related Articles

People who read this article also enjoyed the following articles:

Multi Junction Solar Cells
Find out more about the most efficient solar cells in the world
Article Last Modified: 13:46, 9th Jan 2007
solar

How Do PV Solar Panels Work
Find out how photovoltaic solar cells generate electricity
Article Last Modified: 10:14, 10th Jan 2009
solar | education

SunPower SPR 315 Solar Panels
Find out about the latest SunPower SPR-315 super efficient solar panels
Article Last Modified: 15:18, 3rd Jan 2007
solar

Solar Roof Tiles
Find out about solar cells built into roof tiles / shingles
Article Last Modified: 12:03, 29th Jun 2009
solar

Simple Solar Water Preheating System
Use solar power to pre-heat water and reduce electricity/gas consumption
Article Last Modified: 14:47, 7th Oct 2009
solar | heating | water

Simple Solar Water Heating
Make a simple solar water heater with easy to find materials
Article Last Modified: 13:17, 30th Jun 2008
heating | solar | water

Feed in Tariff
Find out more about feed in tariffs - the amount you can be paid for exporting renewable electricity to the National Grid
Article Last Modified: 15:01, 16th Jul 2009
solar | wind | general

Concentrating Solar Voltaics
Concentrate sunlight onto solar cells increasing power output.
Article Last Modified: 15:00, 9th Jan 2007
solar

How are Solar Panels Made
Find out how solar panels are manufactured
Article Last Modified: 16:04, 10th Apr 2007
solar | education

Introduction to Solar Water Heating
Find out more about the benefits of solar water heating.
Article Last Modified: 12:00, 20th Dec 2006
heating | solar

© 2006-2009 REUK - All Rights Reserved
Page Last Updated on 20th November 2009 at 04:38:13pm

Latest
Articles


Energy Saving and Recycling in the Office
Guide to saving energy and recycling in the office
energy efficiency
16:38, 20th Nov 2009

Lamina Sol MR16 LED Spotlight Review
Review of Lamina Sol MR16 energy efficient LED spotlights
lighting
14:38, 20th Nov 2009

Freeloader Pico
Buy the new economical Freeloader Pico solar charger
solar
14:37, 19th Nov 2009

Direct Solar Water Heating System
Find out how to put together a simple and cost effective direct solar water heating system
solar
09:25, 16th Nov 2009

Ways to Save Electricity
Find out how you can save electricity in your home - help the environment and save money.
energy efficiency
11:39, 14th Nov 2009

Saving Energy to Reduce Carbon Emissions
Increasing energy efficiency is the cheapest way to reduce carbon emissions
energy efficiency
14:51, 11th Nov 2009

Drying Clothes Indoors
Tips on drying clothes indoors without a tumble drier
energy efficiency
15:57, 29th Oct 2009

Google Powermeter
Google Powermeter - an online tool to track your home or office electricity consumption in real time online
energy efficiency
13:23, 29th Oct 2009



REUK Shop

Popular Items


REUK SUPER TIMER
User programmable 12V powered 10A rated repeating relay timer. 1 second to 99 hours ON and OFF times
£19.99 each.
Complete Circuits



SOLAR PUMP CONTROLLER WITH RELAY
Solar water heating system microprocessor controlled circuit with fitted 10A relay
£25.99 each.
Complete Circuits



12 VOLT 5 WATT SOLAR PANEL
Waterproof 12 Volt 5 Watt Solar Panel with aluminium frame - 290mm x 205mm x 17mm with fitted 5m leads
£33.99 each.
Solar Power



300 WATT POWER INVERTER
Convert 12V DC battery power into 230 AC to power portable televisions, computers, video recorders etc. 300 Watt power rating - peak power 600 Watts
£29.99 each.
Renewable Energy System Parts



CONVERTED PROGRAMMABLE DIGITAL TIMER RELAY
Mains powered programmable timer converted to low voltage with relay board
£21.99 each.
Renewable Energy System Parts



12 VOLT REGULATOR
Supply a fixed 12.0 Volt DC to your devices (up to 1 Amp output)
£4.99 each.
Complete Circuits



MR16 CERAMIC BULB HOLDER
Bulb holder for 12 Volt LED spotlight bulbs
£1.39 each.
Energy Efficient Lighting