Panasonic Corporation has announced that it has developed a prototype solar cell which achieved the world's highest conversion efficiency at 24.7%.
Nikkei reports that the test was conducted by the National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology. Currently the world record for the Solar Cell with the highest efficiency was held by SunPower Corp. The Solar Cell developed by SunPower had a Efficiency of 24.2%.
The Solar Cell developed by Panasonic (link) Achieved this record efficiency by utilizing a membrane, which allows more sunlight to pass
through, and its electrodes transfer electricity more efficiently. The
company aims to commercialize the prototype and raise the conversion
efficiency of its mass-market solar cells, which stands at 21.6%.
The Japanese electronics maker's solar-cell business has been
profitable, but the company sees a tougher business environment ahead.
To boost profitability, it aims to develop more-efficient solar cells
focusing on household products, which offer more price stability than
other applications.
In addition, Panasonic is working to lower its solar-cell production
costs by 20% by manufacturing them at a new Malaysian plant using a
higher proportion of parts made outside Japan.
