Solar Cell Breaks World Record

A solar photovoltaic cell has achieved the highest efficiency level yet recorded, converting 40.7% of the sun’s energy into electricity, according to the Boeing Company, owner of Spectrolab, Inc., which made the cell. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory verified the milestone, which has been called the solar electric equivalent of running the four-minute mile. While conventional photovoltaic technology has remained closer to 20% efficiency, the record-breaking cell uses multiple layers of semiconductor material and a concentrating lens. The technology, which responds more effectively to multiple spectra of sunlight, has been used for space exploration equipment. Spectrolab representatives said that the cells could be manufactured in high volumes, and could make solar electricity cost-competitive with conventional sources in some applications.