Solar power breakthrough by Hong Kong Polytechnic University
But reliability of new technology remains a big question mark
Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University claim they have created the most efficient solar cells of their kind in the world.
After three years of research, Professor Charles Chee Surya from the university’s Department of Electronic and Information Engineering claimed on Tuesday their hybrid solar cells can convert up to 25.5 per cent of solar energy, beating the previous record of 22.8 per cent set in Switzerland last September.
Researchers estimate the efficiency boost can reduce the cost of generating solar power from HK$3.90 per watt to HK$2.73 per watt.
However, it is still uncertain if the new product will be put on market. Researchers said a timetable on when the technology can go into mass production remains to be seen, owing to numerous problems which have yet to be ironed out.
They also stopped short of revealing the cost of the hybrid material, adding it is difficult to work out as the solar cells under trial were produced in small quantities in the laboratory.