Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Wuxi, China,), the world's leading manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, on September 23rd, 2009 announced that it has beaten all previous records for multi-crystalline silicon module conversion efficiency, including its own record achieved last month. The new world record conversion efficiency (aperture area only) was measured at 16.53% by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. Suntech's world record breaking multi-crystalline silicon module is powered by "Pluto" PV cells utilizing solar grade silicon with each PV cell having a conversion efficiency well over 17 %.

In August, Suntech surpassed the previous record of 15.5 % set by Sandia National Labs 15 years ago. The latest record is well above previous records and is a reaffirmation that Suntech's Pluto powered multi-crystalline modules have the highest conversion efficiency in the world, the company emphasizes in a press release.

Dr. Martin Green: A new benchmark for the highest performance multi-crystalline module

"We are very pleased to announce that our Pluto technology has been recognized as the most efficient multi-crystalline silicon technology in the world", said Dr. Stuart Wenham, Suntech's Chief Technology Officer. "This shows that it is possible to combine both first class R&D and low cost manufacturing into a commercially viable business model that will bring clean alternative energy to the world's growing energy demands." Dr. Martin Green, Research Director of the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and member of the Progress in Photovoltaics Committee added: "The 16.53% conversion efficiency Suntech module has a clear margin over other multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic technologies. It has set the new benchmark for the highest performance multi-crystalline module."

2009-09-24 | Courtesy: Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH