http://www.energyefficiencynews.com <p><a rel="external" href="http://global.mitsubishielectric.com">Mitsubishi Electric</a> says it has improved the conversion efficiency rate of its multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells to just below 19%.</p> <p>The 18.9% efficiency with which solar light is converted to direct current electrical energy is a new company and world record, claims Mitsubishi.</p> <p>The improvement rests on a honeycomb-like patterned layer on the rear surface of the PV cell that reflects infrared solar rays back into the device.</p> <p>PV devices generate electricity by absorbing as much sunlight over as wide a range of wavelengths as possible. But current devices typically only manage to absorb about half of the infrared component of sunlight, the rest of which is lost as heat.</p> <p>The honeycomb-like pattern of small, bowl-shaped dips is repeated on the front surface of the Mitsubishi PV cell to reduce the amount of light reflected straight off the top of the device.</p> <p>The company says it will start using the technology on mass-produced PV modules in April next year.</p> <p>For further information:<br /> <a rel="external" href="http://global.mitsubishielectric.com">global.mitsubishielectric.com</a></p> <p>Related stories:<br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1842/">Butterfly wing inspires more efficient solar cell (10-Feb 2009)</a><br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1681/">Research boosts efficiency of solar cells (9-Dec 2008)</a><br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1553/">Coating improves efficiency of solar cells (7-Nov 2008)</a><br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1335/">German researchers achieve record efficiency for solar cells (26-Sept 2008)</a><br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1128/">NREL solar cell achieves world-record efficiency (21-Aug 2008)</a><br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/72/">Researchers double efficiency of solar cells (14-Apr 2008)</a></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1867/ 2009-02-18T00:00:00-00:00 Renewables, solar power, photovoltaics, conversion efficiency, Mitsubishi Electric