solar conversion efficiency Archives

The centerpiece of this solar simulator is a tiny photoelectrochemical cell, capable of pushing hydrogen from water without the need for standalone renewable energy facilities (courtesy of University of Tübingen under copyright by Valentin Marquardt/University of Tübingen).

Red-Hot Green Hydrogen Field Just Got Hotter (& Greener)

October 9, 20236 months ago Tina Casey 0 Comments

Photoelectrochemical cells can push green hydrogen directly from water without the need for standalone solar panels.

Race To Break Solar Cell Efficiency Record Heats Up With New $12 Million Grant

January 26, 201311 years ago Tina Casey 9 Comments

The U.S. Department of Energy has just added another $12 million to an existing $35.8 million grant program aimed at producing the next generation of record-breaking solar cells that get closer to the theoretical maximum efficiency of about 30 percent. That goalpost was established back in 1961 and solar researchers … [continued]

Advanced Solar CPV Manufacturing Plant to Open in NC this Month

September 17, 201212 years ago proteus 5 Comments

Semprius and its backers — including the DOE, NREL, Pratt & Whitney, and Siemens — believe record-high efficiency ratings and low-cost production will make the startup’s concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) cells and modules a winner in a global solar market undergoing much turmoil, including bankruptcies, plant shutdowns, slowdowns, layoffs, and cutbacks in government solar incentives and subsidies […]

ABB–GreenVolts Make a Bang with Launch of Turnkey Solar CPV System

July 17, 201212 years ago proteus 1 Comment

ABB–GreenVolts’ turnkey CPV system is said to be 30-40x more efficient than comparable silicon or thin-film PV installations, which translates into smaller footprints and lower installation costs. […]

Semprius to Produce Dot-Sized, Low Cost-High Efficiency Solar CPV Cells, Modules at NC Plant

December 16, 201112 years ago proteus 6 Comments

Fresh out of having its dot-sized, triple junction solar PV cells validated at 41% efficiency, Semprius is building a 35 MW production facility in North Carolina. Using a massive parallel micro-transfer process, its concentrated PV modules are expected to be competitive with fossil fuels. Siemens and VC partners have taken an equity stake in the start-up, a dramatic illustration of how federal government support is being leveraged by private industry.

Trina Solar Sets Solar Power World Record with New ‘Honey’ PV Module

September 7, 201113 years ago proteus 5 Comments

Trina Solar has set what looks to be a new world record for electricity produced by a multicrystalline silicon solar PV module. A 156×156 millimeter, 60-cell module produced a peak 274 Watts of electrical power in laboratory testing, a result confirmed by TUV Rhineland.