New Solar Cell Sets Record For Energy Efficiency

Lucas123 writes "After three years of work, German and French researchers have achieved a new world record on converting sunlight to energy through a photovoltaic cell, achieving a 44.7% rate of efficiency, which was measured at a concentration of 297 suns. The efficiency rating means the solar cell collects 44.7% of the sun's spectrum's energy, from ultraviolet to the infrared spectrum, which is converted into electrical energy. The team of researchers said the technology places them on the path to achieving their roadmap of 50% efficiency in solar energy conversion."

Well of course

[NoNonAlphaCharsHere]

Sure, the Germans get better solar efficiency, they get a lot more sun.

Re:Awesome.

[Anonymous Coward]

No. But the Saudis are investing in cloud technology.

Re:Well of course

[NoNonAlphaCharsHere]

Thank you, Sheldon; that was interesting.

Re:The 44.7% efficiency requires 297 suns

[nbauman]

This means that they use mirrors to focus the light onto the panel.

I know just where to put them.
http://news.slashdot.org/story/13/09/03/0157256/building-melts-car [slashdot.org]

Wrong

[Rujiel]

Do you get your talking points from a PR firm? Did you seriously just list the price of re-shnging your roof as a reason why solar could never be economical? Even if that were true, you need to think outside of the box, brah. http://cleantechnica.com/2013/05/15/caution-wet-solar-power-new-affordable-solar-paint-research/ [cleantechnica.com]

I find it pretty comic you're listing today's absorption rates as the reason solar "will never" (emphasis on the bolded word) be affordable. What website are you on right now? I wouldn't peg you for a technology enthusiast. Got news for you, bud: technology advances. Solar will become a dominant energy source. It's just a matter of when. You should stop watching cable TV; it's convinced you of silly things, sheltered you in petrol pipe dreams.