Suntech claims new multi-crystalline PV efficiency record

Wuxi, China-based Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE:STP) said today a multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic module has achieved a world record in conversion efficiency. And the company said it thinks there is still room for improvement.

The photovoltaic module manufacturer said its commercial grade module reached 15.6 percent conversion efficiency, passing up the previous record of 15.5 percent (aperture area only) set by Sandia National Labs 15 years ago.

The module’s conversion efficiency was independently tested by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, the company claims.

The module is powered by Suntech’s Pluto PV cells, which use solar grade silicon with each PV cell and have more than 17 percent conversion efficiency, according to Suntech.

The previous record was based on an aperture area or frameless module. Suntech said its new record efficiency includes the framed area, without which the company thinks it would achieve a conversion efficiency of more than 16 percent.

"This is a tremendous result for Suntech and clearly demonstrates the power and versatility of the Pluto technology, which can be applied to both mono and multi-crystalline wafers,” said Suntech’s Chief Technology Officer Dr. Stuart Wenham in a news release. “The fact that this module was produced on our commercial scale production lines using regular solar grade silicon is of particular note.”

Suntech has started commercial shipments of its Pluto-powered modules, with plans to ship between 10 megawatts and 15 megawatts of Pluto products in 2009.

In June, Suntech secured a $50 million convertible loan agreement with the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. The loan is to support Suntech’s focus on its new Pluto technology and for debt refinancing requirements (see Suntech secures $50M loan with IFC).

In May, Suntech also announced plans to start manufacturing its crystalline silicon PV modules in the United States (see Chinese solar giant Suntech seeks base for US production).

The efficiency of the crystalline cells are not to be confused with the efficiencies of multi-junction solar cells, which are now upwards of 40 percent efficient (see German solar cell reaches 40-percent efficiency). To date, these have been limited to concentrating photovoltaic and space-based applications because of high cost.

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