If you can't make thin cells efficient fast enough, why not make efficient silicon solar cells thinner? Using the latest advances in silicon slicing and wafer coating, Kyocera plans to do just that. The company will manufacture solar cells that are 180 micrometers thick, down from the industry's standard 200 to 260 micrometers.

However, don't expect solar cell efficiency to go down, as the company intends to improve in this area as well. In October of 2006, the company's 18.5 percent efficiency set a new world record. The plan is to increase production significantly without increasing consumption. With long-term contracts already set with Kyocera's suppliers, the company is poised to accomplish its goal to mass produce the thinner solar cells by March of 2010.

Kyocera, based in Japan, is a solar manufacturer known for innovative research and development efforts. It was the first company to mass produce multicrystalline silicon solar cells using today's industry standard casting method.

Amid all the attention on increasing solar cell diversity, there's now focus on increasing solar cell durability. One method is through a special coating, one that turns UV photons into visible light with longer wavelengths. This coating has two-fold benefits, increasing both efficiency and longevity. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles say the coating could add years to cells' lifespans. This boost is important to solar cells, which decrease in efficiency with prolonged exposure to UV light.

A range of materials could be used in the coating, referred to as photon conversion material (PCM). These include polyflourene, liquids, solids, gels, and nanoparticles.

Links:

• Coating solar cells to boost their efficiency
• Long-life solar cells
• Solar Contractors