Spectrolab solar cell sets efficiency record

[Gold Metal Flake]

http://boeingnews.web.boeing.com/archive/12_06/120606/061206a_spectrolab_p2.html



Boeing Spectrolab terrestrial solar cell surpasses 40% efficiency

Spectrolab, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing, has achieved a new world record in terrestrial concentrator solar cell efficiency. Using concentrated sunlight, Spectrolab demonstrated the ability of a photovoltaic cell to convert 40.7 percent of received solar energy into electricity.

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., verified the milestone last month.

"This solar cell performance is the highest efficiency level any photovoltaic device has ever achieved," said Spectrolab President David Lillington. "The terrestrial cell we have developed uses the same technology base as our space-based cells. So, once qualified, they can be manufactured in very high volumes with minimal impact to production flow."

Spectrolab officials say that high-efficiency multijunction cells have a significant advantage over conventional silicon cells in concentrator systems because fewer solar cells are required to achieve the same power output. This technology is expected to continue to dramatically reduce the cost of generating electricity from solar energy, as well as the cost of materials used in high-power space satellites and terrestrial applications.

[Botany]

1. This is good news

I hate to see Boeing have it though.

[kestrel91316]

2. Hey, at least Boeing is an American company. Better them than,

say, some Russian or Chinese company, right???

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. Consider that it's Spectrolab, which just happens to be owned by Boeing.

Owned by Boeing at the moment, that is, but it runs as a separate subsidiary.