U.S. lab sets solar efficiency record

GOLDEN, Colo., Aug. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have set the world record for most efficient solar energy production.

The announcement came from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., where scientists recently tested a photovoltaic device that converts 40.8 percent of the sunlight that hits it into electricity.

Forty-eight percent efficiency is the highest confirmed percentage of efficiency of any photovoltaic device to date.

Scientists said the new cell may be used in space satellites that capture solar energy.

NREL held the previous record for efficiency as well, and the original inverted solar cell was invented by an NREL scientist, according to the Energy Department.