Boeing develops solar cell with 40 percent efficiency

A Boeing subsidiary has developed a new type of solar cell that operates at an efficiency of over 40 percent. Current solar cells only deliver an efficiency of 30 percent, while typical commercial models only deliver about 15 percent efficiency or less.

The new cells use a specially developed semiconductor material that improves efficiency and simplifies design. The company is now examining how to bring production c
"This solar cell performance is the highest efficiency level any photovoltaic device has ever achieved," said Dr. David Lillington, president of Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab.

"The terrestrial cell we have developed uses the same technology base as our space-based cells. So, once qualified, they can be manufactured in very high volumes with minimal impact to production flow."

The news report doesn't indicate whether this cell will be commercially produced, it only says it will be used in next-generation satellites.