AI Summary

Researchers at the Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO) have identified a new design approach that tackles Boltzmann loss—the energy solar panels emit as light—potentially raising the theoretical efficiency ceiling from the Shockley‑Queisser limit of 33.16 percent to about 43 percent. Existing consumer panels typically operate at 20‑23 percent, so the method could markedly improve performance if realized. The breakthrough comes as Chinese firm LONGi recently released a solar cell achieving 35.5 percent efficiency, which it also claims can reach the same 43 percent theoretical maximum.

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