Alta Devices says its most recent solar panel has been verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at 23.5% efficiency – its highest efficiency yet.
According to the company, the conversion efficiency jump resulted from key technical breakthroughs in harnessing the high efficiency of gallium arsenide (GaAs) in cost-effective ways. Alta explains that it chose to focus on GaAs because of its intrinsic efficiency advantages as well as its ability to generate electricity at high temperatures and in low light.
The company adds that it is ‘starting to plan’ for full-scale production, with activities such as building strategic manufacturing partnerships and selecting its first large, commercial manufacturing site.
