Chinese firms claim world record in multi-crystalline silicon PV cells

JA Solar says its product has 18.3% efficiency.

Chinese solar manufacturer JA Solar announced that its multi-crystalline silicon cells have reached an efficiency of 18.3%. It said this record has been independently certified by the Yangzhou Opto-Electrical Products Testing Institute.

JA Solar claims its product eclipses all previously certified industrial size (156x156 mm^2) multi-Si solar cells.

The company’s claim, however, conflicts with that of Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems which, a few months ago, claimed a higher efficiency of 20.4% for its multi-crystalline Si cells.

Fraunhofer’s record breaking cell, however, was only 1 square centimeter in size. On the other hand, JA Solar's less efficient cell is much larger at 15.6 square centimeters.

Based in Shanghai, JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-performance solar power products. The company sells its products to solar manufacturers worldwide, who assemble and integrate solar cells into modules and systems that convert sunlight into electricity for residential, commercial, and utility-scale power generation.