August, 2004 - Nr. 8
Scientists Break World Record For Solar Cell Effectiveness
TWIG - Research scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg have broken the world record for effectiveness in converting solar energy into electricity, leading the country one step further in its efforts to develop sustainable energy sources.
The new solar cells, which consist of multicrystalline silicon, can transfer 20.3% of the sun’s rays into electric power, compared to the previous record, 19.8%. The scientists in Freiburg are the first members of the international solar energy community to break the 20% hurdle, which was set over 20 years ago.
"This barrier was not only physical but psychological," said Gerhard Willeke, head of the Solar Cell Department. "We are particularly proud to be the ones who have broken it," he said.
Worldwide, 55% of all solar cells are produced from
multicrystalline silicon, which is cheaper to produce than other materials
but is associated with a lower rate of effectiveness.
Republished with permission from "The Week in Germany"
Links:
Frauenhofer
Institute for Solar Energy Systems
