美國能源部(the
Department of Energy)宣佈了一項太陽能電池的技術突破，並寄望藉此提升太陽能價格競爭力並減少對石油能源的依賴──由該部門資助的業者Boeing-Spectrolab，已研發了光電轉換效率達40.7%的新型太陽能電池。
Boeing-Spectrolab的總裁David Lillington宣稱，該公司產品達到的光電轉換效率是其他光電設備不曾達到的水準，而且其成果已經通過美國能源部的國家再生能源實驗室(National
Renewable Energy Laboratory)認證。目前市面上的太陽能電池光電轉換效率大概在12%~18%之間，有少部分人造衛星使用的太陽能電池則可達到28%
。
(參考原文：Solar cell breakthrough claimed)
(Thomas Claburn)
Solar cell breakthrough claimed
Thomas Claburn
InformationWeek
(12/06/2006 2:00 H EST)
A breakthrough in solar cell technology
promises to make solar power a cost-competitive
energy option and to reduce U.S. dependence on oil.
With funding from the Department
of Energy, Boeing-Spectrolab has managed to create
a solar cell with 40.7% sunlight-to-energy conversion
efficiency, said DoE assistant secretary for energy
efficiency and renewable energy Alexander Karsner
on Tuesday.
The solar cell represents "the
highest efficiency level any photovoltaic device
has ever achieved," according to David Lillington,
president of Spectrolab. That claim has been verified
by the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory
in Golden, Colo.
Most of today's solar cells are
between 12% and 18% efficient. Some of the ones
used to power satellites are around 28% efficient.
In 1954, 4% efficiency was state of the art.
High energy prices and environmental
concerns are prompting businesses to consider solar
power. In October, Google said it planned to install
9,200 solar photovoltaic panels at its Mountain
View headquarters in 2007. Google's solar panels,
made by Sharp, are 12.8% efficient. It expects to
generate 30% of its peak energy usage during the
summer from solar power.
