Trina Solar Limited reports that its State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology of China has set a new world record for a high-efficiency p-type multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) solar cell.

The record-breaking p-type multi-crystalline silicon solar cell was fabricated on a high-quality mc-Si substrate with a process that integrates advanced Honey Plus technologies including back surface passivation and local back surface field.

The 156+ 156 mm2 solar cell reached a total-area efficiency of 21.25%. This result has been independently confirmed by the Fraunhofer ISE CalLab in Germany.

This efficiency record breaks the previous 20.76% efficiency world record for mc-Si solar cells also established by Trina Solar one year ago.

To set this new record, only low-cost industrial processes which can be easily integrated into large-volume production were used.

"We are very pleased to announce the new efficiency results achieved by our scientists and researchers at the State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time ever that a multi-crystalline silicon solar cell has been able to achieve a conversion efficiency of over 21%," said Dr. Pierre Verlinden, Vice-President and Chief Scientist of Trina Solar.

"This exciting result shows that the development path toward higher efficiencies continues to be bright, even for silicon. Our aim is to continuously integrate innovative technological developments to improve the efficiency and lower the cost of our PV products.

"This technology advancement in efficiency will strengthen our leadership in the PV industry and allow us to continue providing affordable solar power to the world."