Solar technology advances aim to increase photovoltaic efficiency

Researchers and manufacturers are pursuing new methods to increase solar cell efficiency and overcome current physical limitations.

At the University of Groningen, physicists are investigating a theoretical approach to bypass the Shockley-Queisser limit, which restricts the efficiency of conventional single-layer semiconductor cells to approximately 33 percent. The research focuses on utilizing ‘hot electrons’—highly energetic particles that typically lose their excess energy as heat within picoseconds. By finding ways to better utilize this energy before it dissipates, researchers aim to significantly raise the potential efficiency of photovoltaic systems.

In the commercial sector, All Back Contact (ABC) technology is being implemented to improve energy capture. Unlike traditional modules that use silver conductive tracks on the front, which shade parts of the cell, ABC technology moves all electrical contacts to the rear. This leaves the front surface unobstructed, allowing for greater light absorption. The Chinese manufacturer Aiko reports efficiency rates of nearly 24 percent for its ABC modules, with some cell efficiencies reaching up to 24.6 percent.