Solar cell efficiency work bags award for student

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Stefen Fischer has been awarded the Best Student Presentation Award at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) for his work to increase the efficiency of silicon solar cells.

Fischer’s work uses an upconverter to modify the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to extend how much energy can be derived from the sunlight.

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

Upconversion could increase the efficiency of a silicon solar cell from 30% to 40%.

“I am delighted with this award. It has very much encouraged my work,” said Fischer of Fraunhofer ISE. “As the lucky winners, we will continue to work with our partners intensively on upconversion to increase the efficiency of solar cells even further.”

Jan Christoph Goldschmidt, who leads the work at Fraunhofer ISE added: “Especially in the currently tense situation of the photovoltaic industry, research on innovative concepts is particularly important to provide long-term competitiveness in Germany safely.”

Fischer’s method used a powder of microcrystalline Natriumyttriumfluorid, in which a part of yttrium was replaced by erbium. The powder was in turn embedded in a polymer, so that it could be coupled to the solar cell. 

The results showed that a “significant” increase in efficiency was possible.

Read Next

July 4, 2025
Germany’s latest innovation tender has awarded 488MW of co-located capacity, with all the projects being solar PV tied with energy storage.
July 4, 2025
Risen Energy’s mass-produced heterojunction (HJT) modules have reached a cell conversion efficiency of 26.61%, a record figure for the company.
July 4, 2025
The US House of Representatives has passed the final version of the reconciliation bill that is now going to US President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature before its passing.
July 4, 2025
Australian retailer AGL Energy has confirmed its acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) from Tesla.
July 3, 2025
Renewable energy curtailment in Brazil is set to reach 8% across the country, and be as high as 11% in the north-east, by 2035.
July 3, 2025
Spanish IPP Zelestra has secured a €235 million (US$277 million) increase to its sustainability-linked loan, bringing the total to €770 million.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK