Mitsubishi has broken its own photovoltaic cell efficiency record in a seeming attempt to ensure domination over the solar energy industry. The company has improved the conversion efficiency rate of its PV cells to 18.9 percent— only a slight increase from the previous record of 18.6 percent.

Mitsubishi achieved its latest feat by using a patterned layer on the rear surface of the cell to reflect infrared solar rays onto the device. The same honeycomb-like pattern is on the front surface of the PV cell as well.

The record-breaking cell will be introduced on Mitsubishi PV models beginning this April.

Photo Credit: Mitsubishi

Ariel Schwartz (374 Posts)

Ariel Schwartz was formerly the editor of CleanTechnica and is a contributor at Fast Company, Inhabitat, Triple Pundit, SF Weekly, and NBC Bay Area Online. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.