Solar Panel Efficiency Hits Record 26.66% in China

Scientists in China just pushed solar technology to a new milestone that could make renewable energy cheaper for everyone.

JinkoSolar, working with researchers from three Chinese institutions, created a solar cell that converts 26.66% of sunlight into electricity. That's the highest efficiency ever recorded for an industrial-scale solar panel, meaning this isn't just a lab experiment but technology that can actually be manufactured.

The team tackled one of solar power's biggest challenges: squeezing more energy from the same amount of material. They redesigned both sides of the solar cell using a technology called TOPCon, which reduces energy loss as electricity moves through the panel.

On the front, they optimized how the cell captures light. On the back, they added a special double-layer barrier that prevents silver from the electrodes from degrading the silicon underneath, keeping the panel efficient for longer.

The breakthrough happened on an M10-size wafer, the standard used in modern solar manufacturing. This means factories can start producing these more efficient panels without completely redesigning their production lines.

The Ripple Effect

This record represents 83.8% of the theoretical maximum efficiency possible for this type of solar cell. Each percentage point increase in efficiency means more power from the same rooftop space and lower costs for homeowners and businesses.

JinkoSolar already holds the lab record at 27.02% efficiency and expects to cross 28% by 2028. As efficiency climbs, solar installations become more practical in places with limited space or less intense sunlight.

The technology also achieved 88.3% bifaciality, meaning it can capture reflected light from the ground on its back side. This boosts total energy production throughout the day, especially in snowy or sandy environments.

Better solar efficiency translates directly into climate progress. More efficient panels mean faster adoption of clean energy, less dependence on fossil fuels, and lower electricity bills for families making the switch.

The research appeared in Nature Energy, one of the world's leading science journals, and was independently verified by Chinese certification organizations.

Manufacturing is already scaling up, with JinkoSolar recently announcing a complete solar panel achieving 25.58% efficiency using this technology.

As solar technology keeps improving, the clean energy future gets brighter and more affordable for everyone.