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40% Efficiency Solar Cells Developed

Posted by Zonk on from the that-makes-me-28-percent-happy dept.

gtada writes "A story published at Physorg.com discusses recently published research into the fabrication of solar cells that surpass the 40% efficiency milestone. Such devices would be the high water-mark to date, and hint at the possibility of even more effective technology. 'In the design, multijunction cells divide the broad solar spectrum into three smaller sections by using three subcell band gaps. Each of the subcells can capture a different wavelength range of light, enabling each subcell to efficiently convert that light into electricity. With their conversion efficiency measured at 40.7%, the metamorphic multijunction concentrator cells surpass the theoretical limit of 37% of single-junction cells at 1000 suns, due to their multijunction structure.'"

6 of 357 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Is efficiency the problem? by Volante3192 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You say there's no shortage of sunlight, but I'm sure they said that back in the days of coal burning plants. We need our solar cells to be as efficient as possible.

    If we run out of coal, we can adapt. But if we blow all our sunlight on inefficient solar cells, the consequences would destroy life as we know it!

  2. Efficiency by robably · · Score: 4, Funny

    With their conversion efficiency measured at 40.7%, the metamorphic multijunction concentrator cells surpass the theoretical limit of 37% of single-junction cells at 1000 suns, due to their multijunction structure.'
    40.7% efficiency at 1000 suns, so with only one sun that makes them... 0.0407% efficient.

    Hmm.
  3. Re:Is efficiency the problem? by Fringe · · Score: 2, Funny

    There is really no shortage of sunlight anyways.
    I live near Seattle. We typically do have a shortage of sun. On the other hand, we lead the nation in hydropower. And espresso-power.
  4. Lunar power is SO underrated by rs79 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Solar is great and all but what about the moon? Sometimes it's bright as hell out there but does lunar power get any press? Nooooooooo.

    --
    Need Mercedes parts ?
  5. Re:Cost efficiency? by Ritz_Just_Ritz · · Score: 2, Funny

    According to my spam folder, solar technology from China is the next best thing to sliced bread. Buy early. Buy often. :P

  6. Re:Is efficiency the problem? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    If we keep treating energy efficiency like a luxury, it won't be long before we value energy above life itself. Forget 1984, it'll be more like Mad Max.
    ...Beyond SolarDome?