Researchers show solar cell with 44 percent efficiency

Researchers have developed a solar cell that can convert 44 percent of the energy from sunlight into electricity. The solar cell is currently still far too expensive to produce on a large scale and the researchers mainly wanted to show what was possible.

Scientists from the American George Washington University claim that their solar cell differs from conventional techniques in two ways. First, they use a range of materials derived from gallium antimonide substrates, and second, the scientists attached the layers to each other via transfer printing.

These layers each absorb a part of the spectrum of sunlight, so that the solar cell can also use radiation at the longer wavelengths and thus use more radiation to generate electricity.

Ultimately, a product based on this technology should come onto the market, if production can be cheaper. The scientists have published their findings in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.