NREL validates 41% efficiency for Semprius’ tiny triple-junction cells

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory advised that it recently validated Semprius’ triple-junction cells at greater than 41% efficiency at a concentration of 1,000 suns – said to be one of the highest efficiencies recorded at this concentration. The North Carolina company makes its cells from gallium arsenide with the lenses laying claim to concentrating the sunlight onto the small cells 1,100 times.

Most notable about the small size of the cell, is that they occupy 1/1000 of the entire solar module area, which is said to lead to an overall reduction of the module cost. Furthermore, Semprius acknowledges that by putting such large numbers of small cells together, the heat is better distributed across the cell’s structure, which can eliminate the need for thermal management equipment.
Semprius states that it grows a temporary layer on the original gallium-arsenide substrate and then grows the multi-junction solar cell structure on top of that layer.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Once the wafer is processed, the transfer printing process removes the cells from the gallium-arsenide substrate and transfers them to an interpose wafer. Semprius used its micro-transfer printing process to allow the micro-cells to be transferred from the growth substrate to a wafer. A large parallel process allows thousands of cells to be transferred at the same time, which additionally allows for the original substrate to be used repeatedly.

“We're using a completely different approach to what has been practiced,” said Kanchan Ghosal, CPV applications engineering manager and the principal investigator for Semprius' PV Incubator Award. “This approach uses micro-cells and transfer printing to significantly reduce the use of materials in highly concentrated PV modules. And it provides a highly parallel method to manufacture the module, based on established microelectronics processes and equipment.”

Semprius told the NREL that its low-cost approach can cut manufacturing expenses by 50%, a figure that the NREL noted Siemens acknowledged by taking a 16% stake in the company.

Read Next

May 23, 2025
The California State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee has passed a net metering bill that could worsen residential solar owners’ rates when acquiring a property.
May 23, 2025
TotalEnergies has commissioned its largest solar portfolio in Europe, a collection of five assets in Spain with a combined capacity of 263MW.
May 23, 2025
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill slashing tax credit provisions for clean energy projects.
May 23, 2025
As European power markets consolidate and become more competitive, the increasing frequency of negative capture prices is challenging the viability of renewable energy projects.
Premium
May 23, 2025
The PPA is a 'cornerstone' of the European renewables space, according to speakers at Solar Media's Renewables Procurement & Revenue Summit.
Premium
May 23, 2025
Tongwei's CEO has told an annual shareholder meeting that next year will see a turning point in industry fortunes as obsolete capacity is phased out.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece