SunPower lab produced solar cells used in 24.1% module efficiency record

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The module measured 11310.1 cm2 (aperture area) and had a power of 272.5 Watts. Image: SunPower

Major Photovoltaics Energy Provider (PVEP) SunPower has achieved has set a new PV module conversion efficiency record of 24.1%, using laboratory made IBC-based solar cells that has been verified by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

“SunPower's X-Series panel was tested by our lab under standard test or reporting conditions,” said NREL scientist Keith Emery, manager of the PV cell and module performance laboratory. “The module measured 11310.1 cm2 (aperture area) and had a power of 272.5 Watts. We recorded 24.1 percent efficiency, which is a new record for silicon module efficiency.” 

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SunPower’s previous production record module conversion efficiency of 22.8% using production solar cells had a larger aperture area of 1.57389 m2.

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PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
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