19 January 2013

New World Record for Solar Cell Efficiency

Jan. 18, 2013 — In a remarkable feat, scientists at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, have developed thin film solar cells on flexible polymer foils with a new record efficiency of 20.4% for converting sunlight into electricity. The cells are based on CIGS semiconducting material (copper indium gallium (di)selenide) known for its potential to provide cost-effective solar electricity. The technology is currently awaiting scale-up for industrial applications.

Over the years the laboratory has boosted the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of flexible CIGS solar cells time and again, from 12.8% in 1999 – the group’s first world record – to 14.1% in 2005, 17.6% in 2010 and 18.7% in 2011.
What’s more, Empa’s new record efficiency for flexible solar cells now even exceeds the record value of 20.3% for CIGS solar cells on glass substrates – and equals the highest efficiencies for polycrystalline silicon wafer-based solar cells. 

Thin film, lightweight and flexible high-performance solar modules are attractive for numerous applications such as solar farms, roofs and facades of buildings, automobiles and portable electronics and can be produced using continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing processes that offer further cost reductions compared to standard silicon technologies. In other words, they have the potential to enable low-cost solar electricity in the near future. 

Now it is time for the next step, the scale-up of the technology to cover large areas in a cost-efficient roll-to-roll manufacturing process with an industrial partner”, says Gian-Luca Bona the Director of Empa. For this purpose, Empa is collaborating with Flisom, a start-up company involved in industrialization of flexible CIGS solar cells.

Source: link

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.

The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Chrome.
I'm not sure if this is a

formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I

figured I'd post to let you know. The style and design
look great though! Hope you get

the problem resolved soon. Many thanks
Look into my homepage ... http://frindcapz.3owl.com

Anonymous said...

I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this
post was good. I don't know who you are

but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren't already ;) Cheers!
Review my webpage http://itll.colorado.edu/

Anonymous said...

Fantastic goods from you, man. I've understand your stuff previous to and

you are just extremely magnificent. I really like what

you've acquired here, really like what you're stating and the way in which you

say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I

cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific website.
Also visit my homepage ... http://basicmiranda.blogspot.ru/2012/11/bobbi-brown-long-wear-even-finish.html

Anonymous said...

Hey, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts
have

been kinda boring… I miss your great writings.
Past few posts are just a little bit out of
track! come on!
Here is my web site ... 3 guys one hammer link 3 guys 1 hammer actual video

Anonymous said...

Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I'm impressed! Extremely

helpful info specially the last part :) I care for such

information much. I was looking for this particular information for a very

long time. Thank you and good luck.
Also see my web page: pixnet.net

Anonymous said...

There are actually a

variety of details like that to take into
consideration. That could

be a nice level to bring up. I provide the thoughts above as


basic inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you

deliver up the place the most important thing

might be working in sincere good faith. I

don?t know if finest practices have emerged round things like that, but

I'm certain that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Each girls and boys feel the affect of only a moment’s

pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
my web page: skamo.x10.mx

Anonymous said...

Appreciating the time and effort you put into your


site and detailed information you provide. It's awesome to come

across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same outdated rehashed

information. Excellent read! I've bookmarked your site and I'm adding your

RSS feeds to my Google account.
My page: 4 letter words start with q

Anonymous said...

Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to

see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I

had to share it with someone!
Also see my site - myspace view history

Anonymous said...

Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at

your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet
Explorer, it

has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads
up! Other then that,

superb blog!
Feel free to visit my blog ... wiki.automotive.linuxfoundation.org

Anonymous said...

Wow, fantastic weblog format! How

lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging


look easy. The full look of your website is magnificent, let alone the content material!
My website - http://www.masonforum.com

Anonymous said...

Wonderful site you have here but I was curious if you knew
of any forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
I'd really like to

be a part of community where I can get responses from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any

recommendations, please let me know. Thank you!
Feel free to surf my site http://Www.Wikifredensborg.dk/

Anonymous said...

Thanks for another informative site. Where else could I get that kind
of

information written in such an ideal way? I've a project that I am just now working on,

and I've been on the look out for such info.
Check out my web blog : sheepy.me

Anonymous said...

Well I truly enjoyed reading it. This post procured by you is very constructive for proper planning.
My web page :: http://Mobilebuzz.blogspot.fr/2008/05/android-value-prop-live-from-google-io.html

Anonymous said...

When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox
and now each time a

comment is added I get three emails with the same comment.

Is there any way you can remove

people from that service? Thanks!
Here is my blog post :: arts.ac.uk