The prototype underwent testing and certification at the Instituto de Energia Solar in Spain and at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. During the previous tests, the Semprius prototype demonstrated a 32% energy conversion rate.
Even a small scale improvement like this makes a huge difference in returns on investment. This is especially true on large scale utility projects.
“This is a significant milestone for Semprius and the entire PV industry,” said Scott Burroughs, vice president of technology at Durham, N.C.-based Semprius. “For the first time we have been able to convert more than one third of the sun’s energy into usable electricity.”
The Semprius solar module magnifies the sunlight with mirrors and lenses before it hits the photovoltaic cells, creating concentrated photovoltaics.
Semprius developed its technology with support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which is located in Golden, Colorado.
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