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Sharp solar cells refresh the world's highest conversion efficiency
Solar cells developed by Sharp, featuring a three-layer light-absorbing structure, have recently set a new world record for conversion efficiency. By carefully adjusting the composition of the bottom layer, the company has significantly improved the ability of the solar cell to capture sunlight, leading to higher energy conversion rates. This achievement was independently verified by the Japan Institute of Industrial Technology (AIST), one of the leading global institutions for solar cell testing, which confirmed a remarkable efficiency of 37.9% on a cell area of approximately 1 square centimeter.
This innovative technology is called the "Compound 3-Junction" solar cell and was developed under the "Innovative Photovoltaic Power Generation Technology" initiative by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). In the category of non-concentrating laboratory-scale solar cells, this 37.9% efficiency marks the highest ever recorded. Previously, similar cells achieved 35.8% in 2009, 36.9% in 2011, and 37.7% in 2012—making this latest breakthrough even more impressive.
The compound solar cell features a light-absorbing layer made from multi-element compounds, such as indium and gallium. Specifically, the bottom layer uses indium gallium arsenide, while Sharp optimized the ratio of indium, gallium, and arsenic to better match the spectrum of sunlight, enhancing light absorption across different wavelengths.
Sharp’s Compound 3-Junction design utilizes a unique layered structure, with gallium arsenide as the middle layer and indium gallium phosphate as the top layer. This three-layer configuration allows for efficient light absorption and charge collection. The company started developing these high-performance solar cells back in 2000, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce weight, and increase durability—especially for space applications. Moving forward, Sharp plans to leverage this breakthrough and continue advancing its practical implementation in real-world scenarios.