NREL sets new efficiency record

[svetz]

Scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have fabricated a solar cell with an efficiency of nearly 50%. The six-junction solar cell now holds the world record for the highest solar conversion efficiency at 47.1%, which was measured under concentrated illumination.

More: https://www.nrel.gov/news/press/202...ll-sets-two-world-records-for-efficiency.html

 

[Supervstech]

Concentrated solar... mirror reflected wavelengths.
so... great for Satellites, not so much for home roofs... but imagine if it was... 20KW on a single south face roof... cool!

 

[svetz]

... but imagine ...

The average upwards facing surface area on a car is ~8 m sq, so at 50% efficiency and 1000 w/m sq, that's 4 kW. That's enough to power a peppy car, or at least stretch out the miles.