Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., have surpassed a record for electricity produced by solar cells made from cadmium telluride—a development that could help meet expanding demand for solar systems.
The measurement of 16.4 percent efficiency bested the previous threshold of 15.8 percent efficiency for a cadmium telluride cell—a record that has stood since 1992. The efficiency of a solar cell is calculated as the percentage of available sunlight the device converts into electricity.
The record-setting cadmium telluride (CdTe) process developed by NREL is different from previous cells and benefits from a number of new insights in understanding of the operation of these solar cells. The cell utilizes new materials that interact chemically with the CdTe to improve adhesion, light collection, and electronic properties, NREL researchers report.
For more information contact Gary Schmitz at NREL, 303/275-4050.
