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Sharp develops concentrator solar cell with world’s highest conversion efficiency of 43.5%

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Sharp Corp has achieved the world’s highest solar cell conversion efficiency of 43.5% using a concentrator triple-junction compound solar cell. These solar cells are used in a lens-based concentrator system that focuses sunlight on the cells to generate electricity.

Compound solar cells utilize photo-absorption layers made from compounds consisting of two or more elements, such as indium and gallium. The basic structure of this latest triple-junction compound solar cell uses Sharp’s proprietary technology that enables efficient stacking of the three photo-absorption layers, with InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) as the bottom layer.

To achieve this latest increase in conversion efficiency, Sharp capitalized on the ability of this cell to efficiently convert sunlight collected via three photo-absorption layers into electricity. Sharp also optimized the spacing between electrodes on the surface of the concentrator cell and minimized the cell’s electrical resistance.

This latest Sharp breakthrough came about through research and development efforts that are part of the “R&D on Innovative Solar Cells” project promoted by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Measurement of the value of 43.5%, which sets a record for the world’s highest concentrating conversion efficiency, was confirmed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Germany.

Because of their high conversion efficiency, compound solar cells have been used primarily on space satellites. Sharp’s aim for the future is to apply this latest development success into concentrator photovoltaic power systems that can efficiently generate electricity using small-surface-area solar cells and make them practical for terrestrial use.

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6 Comments
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So when can I put one on my roof ?????

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kurisupisu So when can I put one on my roof ?????

Probably never. The cells are designed for concentrated photovoltaic systems which are huge.

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Now bring the price down... Efficiency is great of course.... but I'll take a solar panel that gives me the most bank for the buck.

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Great news. Keep it up Japan.

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All these companies are the same and not interested in really helping the ecology. All these ECO products cost more than the savings to the consumers that buy them. Solar cells, ECO cars, ECO toilet seats 5 star rated frideges etc and the consumer just pays into the profits of these companies. The ECO scam. Maybe Sharp can capitalize on showing the way to real savings at good prices that cause us all to want their ECo devices rather than paying the same for non ECO devices.

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One can get 15% efficiency cells for about 1 USD per watt (250watts for 280 USD [at 36V - three in series with an inverter makes for Japanese mains electricity]), delivered free to Japan. If you live in a Japanese city then the 45% efficiency triple layered (and probably more than triple priced) cells are the way to go. But if you live in the population depleted (kasoka-ed) Japanese provinces, with a roof three times the size, then there are many online Chinese solar cell manufacturers ready to supply cells for your roof. I have been thinking about it. There are Japanese laws against electrical DIY so the main cost would probably be the labour, not the cells.

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