Suniva has announced that its ARTisun Select series solar cells are now averaging 19 percent efficiency in plant-wide production. In addition to the improved efficiencies, ongoing process improvements have yielded tighter cosmetic specifications, including a more narrow color band to create a more cosmetically uniform module.

Suniva's continued research, innovation and deep experience have led to these most recent cost-effective cell-efficiency improvements. In 2011, the company formed its Manufacturing Innovation Center to improve processes and enhance performance.

Suniva's unique, low-cost approach achieves these efficiency gains without the added steps and processing costs that traditionally characterize the means of increasing performance, thus avoiding the complexities and premiums of enhanced performance.

"These power levels are a stepping stone for us at Suniva, as we continue to produce the highest efficiency, highest performing cells at a sensible cost for today's photovoltaic market," said Bruce McPherson, vice president of research and development for Suniva.

"With our pioneering proprietary work to produce the ARTisun Select cells, we have overcome the production and cost challenges traditionally associated with high-efficiency manufacturing. We feel confident our Select cells will continue to achieve increased production average efficiencies beyond 19.2 percent during 2012."

The new cell efficiencies are available immediately to cell customers and are incorporated into the company's high-powered, flagship Optimus modules that contain more than 80 percent U.S. content. Buy-American Act compliant versions are also available.