Feb 16 2010
Two new world records were set by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for the photoelectric conversion efficiency in polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. By cutting down the resistive loss in solar cells, the company was able to achieve this feat. The sunlight energy on solar cells is converted into electricity and the rate at which it is converted is called the photoelectric conversion efficiency. Higher conversion rates will yield higher output power.
The PV cells production across the world has reached 5,500 MW by the end of March 2009 in response to the increasing demand for photovoltaic systems. By the end of March 2012, the global PV cells production is expected to reach 8,000 MW. The demand for crystalline silicon PV cells is rapidly growing and PV cell producers are seeking ways to increase conversion efficiency of solar cells to increase the power output. The cell manufacturers are also trying to reduce the thickness of PV cells while achieving increased power output.
Mitsubishi Electric has achieved 19.3% photoelectric conversion efficiency for practically-sized polycrystalline silicon PV cell measuring about 15 cm x 15 cm x 200 micrometers, which is more than the 0.2% than the previous record of 19.1% set by the company. This is the first world record. The second world was achieved by the company for ultra-thin polycrystalline silicon PV cell with a size of about 15 cm x 15 cm x 100 micrometers. Conversion efficiency rate of 18.1% was achieved by the company for this category, which betters the previous record by 0.7% that was set by the company previously.
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan has confirmed the conversion efficiency rates achieved by Mitsubishi Electric.
Source: http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/news