Alta Devices, a manufacturer of thin and flexible mobile power technology, has set a record for a single junction solar cell with an efficiency of 28.9 percent.

This claim has been certified by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The main advantages of Alta’s cells are its unique thinness and flexibility that help in many autonomous systems.

“Alta Devices’ goal is to continue to lead the industry in solar technology and to enable a broad range of autonomous systems. We believe this is the best way to support the innovations of our customers,” said Jian Ding, CEO of Alta Devices.

As the use of autonomous systems grow in the society, it becomes imperative that these systems work without human intervention even during refuel or recharge. Alta’s solar technology is focused towards devices and vehicles that can charge without stopping.

Prof. Yablonovitch of Alta devices said, “Alta has the first solar cell based on internal luminescence extraction, which has enabled Alta to remain ahead of others. This scientific principle will be in all future high efficiency solar cells.”

The company also broke the world record for dual-junction cell efficiency at 31.6 percent in 2016.

According to Mercom’s Solar Funding and M&A Reports, Alta Devices, a Hanergy company, has raised over $72 million in VC funding since 2010.

Recently, Oxford PV, a perovskite solar technology company, announced that it achieved a 27.3 percent conversion efficiency for its 1 cm² perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell. Prior to this, the best efficiency recorded for a single-junction silicon solar cell in the world was 26.7 percent.

Image credit: Alta Devices

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer