Solarmer’s plastic solar cells break seven per cent efficiency barrier
23rd October 2009
Newport Corporation’s Technology and Applications Center’s photovoltaics laboratory has certified solar technology company Solarmer Energy’s plastic solar cells at an efficiency of 7.6 per cent.
Dr Gang Li, senior research fellow at Solarmer Energy, said, ‘Breaking the seven per cent efficiency barrier for organic photovoltaics is a huge accomplishment for Solarmer and the organic photovoltaic industry.
‘We are thankful for the contributions of our two primary collaborators, Professor Luping Yu at the University of Chicago and Professor Yang Yang at University of Calicornia, Los Angeles (UCLA),’ he added.
The company claims the efficiency rate breaks the world record for the second time. Its plastic solar panels will be available next year.
‘We are pleased that Newport’s recently launched certified PV lab is helping Solarmer in achieving outstanding results in efficiency. Our collaboration in material research and certified testing is a great example of how two very different companies can benefit by working together,’ says Dr. Ruben Zadoyan, Director of Technology and Applications Center of Newport Corporation.
Newport Corporation measures the electrical performance of photovoltaic cells under simulated sunlight.
Solarmer Energy was founded in 2006 to commercialise technology developed at UCLA. Its plastic solar panels have applications in the portable digital electronic devices and smart fabrics.
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