Solar cell with 60 percent efficiency

Spanish researchers have developed a solar cell with 60 percent efficiency. In doing so, they broke a previously insurmountable law of physics – at least in theory. The development could transform the energy industry in a few years.

After 15 years of intensive research, Spanish researchers recently achieved a breakthrough. The team developed a solar cell that can theoretically achieve an efficiency of 60 percent. For comparison: Current solar cells made of silicon achieve around 27 percent in the laboratory under ideal conditions.

Although there are also so-called multiple solar cells, these have so far “only” achieved a record value of 46 percent. The new technology is based on a material mix of gallium phosphide and titanium, which is characterized by its special properties.

Solar cell with 60 percent efficiency overcomes Shockley-Queisser limit

Conventional solar cells reach a natural limit. This is also known as the Shockley-Queisser limit and is at an efficiency of around 33 percent. This makes it theoretically impossible to convert up to two thirds of sunlight into electricity.

But the material mix of the new solar cell from Spain could theoretically make it possible to overcome the physical limits. Although there is no functional prototype yet, initial tests with a square centimeter piece of the cell show immense potential.

Scaling technology as a challenge

Although the theoretical values ​​are promising, the technology will probably not be available for several years or a decade. Because it cannot be easily scaled on an industrial scale. However, the research team is already working on a solution to this problem.

In addition to the production of the solar cell, this also includes a problem with integrating the titanium into the manufacturing process. The development nevertheless represents a significant step towards drastically increasing the efficiency of solar cells.

An even greater expansion of technology and cheaper electricity prices could be the result. Because if more electricity can be generated per square meter, the consumer will also save in the end.

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