'We've effectively broken that trend using copper.'Ĭopper is 100 times cheaper than silver, there is much more of it and it also requires lower processing temperatures, meaning less energy consumption. 'If you look at the commercial solar cells today and the last few world-record commercial-sized solar cells, there's a strong correlation between efficiency and silver consumption. 'I think what's more significant than achieving the world record is we've been able to do it without silver,' Mr Allen said. Vince Allen's company started in a warehouse in Wollongong before moving to southern Sydney.

'In the solar world, independent certification is critical if you want to present your results to research institutions.' 'Point three might not sound like a lot, but to us solar nerds it carries a lot of significance. 'Prior to that, the record was 25.26 per cent, so we've done a reasonably big jump,' he said. Mr Allen's company Sundrive has created a cell with 25.54 per cent efficiency, as tested by the Institute For Solar Energy Research Hamlin in Germany – a company that specialises in efficiency testing. Ten years ago, commercial-sized solar cells had an efficiency rating of about 14 to 16 per cent. Want more local news? Sign up to the ABC Illawarra weekly email newsletter Put simply, efficiency is measured by the amount of power you generate based on the amount of sunlight coming in.

'Being able to fabricate the most efficient commercial-sized solar cell is an achievement we're very proud of, and to push Australian solar PV on a global stage.' 'The fundamental driving factors behind solar adoption come down to efficiency and cost,' Mr Allen said. In the solar world, efficiency is a big deal. Now they have the certification to say they have created the most efficient commercial-sized solar cell in the world. Sundrive chief executive Vince Allen says the certified record puts Australia back at the forefront of solar cell manufacturing.The company uses copper instead of silver to manufacture their solar cells because it is cheaper and more abundant.An Australian solar company has created the world's most efficient commercial-sized solar cell.Solar start-up engineer Vince Allen knew he and his team had made something special in their laboratories.

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