New World Record for Solar Cell Efficiency

Solar cell efficiency has reached a new milestone. PhD Bram Hoex, in cooperation with the Germain Instititute Fraunhofer ISE, have been able to produce a solar cell that is 23.2% efficient, up from 21.9%.

This increase in efficiency comes from a 30 nanometer film of aluminum oxide to the front of the solar cell. The ultra thin film has a very high number of built-in negative charges, which helps to significantly reduce the loss of energy on the surface.

While this may seem like a very modest improvment, the overall effect brings us closer to the tipping point for solar cell prices by making the panels cheaper and more efficient, which will reduce the cost.  A number of major manufacturers of solar cells have already expressed interest in this new technlogy!