Oxford PV, a spin-off from the University of Oxford, has achieved the world record for the most efficient solar panel.
In collaboration with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, the company’s solar panel achieved 25% conversion efficiency, a significant improvement compared to the more typical 16-24% in commercial solar panels.
Oxford PV credits its efficient panel to its secret sauce, perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells, which could potentially reach over 43% efficiency, setting itself apart from traditional silicon solar cells. Its record-setting panel cranked out 421 watts over an area of 1.68 square meters using standard mass production gear optimized for the tandem technology.
The company, which has a production line near Berlin, verified its world record efficiency claim using Fraunhofer’s multispectral solar simulator, recreating natural sunlight in a lab to test the panel’s perovskite and silicon layers.
Additionally, Oxford PV has achieved a 28.6% efficiency record for its commercial-sized perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cell and aims to exceed 30% efficiency.
Oxford PV’s cutting-edge solar panels are a game-changer for renewable energy. By boosting efficiency, they have the potential to increase power output, leading to cheaper electricity and faster adoption of clean energy sources.
Chris Case, chief technology officer at Oxford PV, stated, “Our record-breaking solar panels demonstrate that we are on the cusp of the next solar revolution, which will be delivered, in part, by our tandem cell technology.”
“2024 is set to be a pivotal year for Oxford PV, as the company scales up manufacturing and continues to progress plans for a new factory to produce its tandem solar cells in high volumes.”
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