Solar panels could become more efficient than they already are following the creation of the solar cell that is best at converting sunlight into electricity.
A team of researchers has broken their own record to create a solar cell that turns 39.7 per cent of the solar energy that hits it into electricity.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg beat their previous record of 37.6 per cent.
To achieve the higher efficiency, the scientists carried out theoretical calculations to establish the correct ratio for the width of the wires that conduct the electricity in relation to the cell's surface.
"We are very pleased to have advanced a further decisive step in such a short amount of time," said Dr Andreas Bett, department head at Fraunhofer ISE. "Highest conversion efficiencies help the young technology to become market competitive and to further sink the costs of generating electricity from the sun for the future."
E.ON has pointed out that installing solar panels on a home's roof could help it cut down on energy bills and might even allow households to sell surplus energy to their provider.
