# Sunlight-Harnessing Systems This Photovoltaic System is Incredibly Efficient By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-12-08 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photovoltaic-system References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/unsw-world-record-solar-energy-conversion/35098/) & [newsroom.unsw.edu.au](http://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-technology/unsw-researchers-set-world-record-solar-energy-efficiency) Researchers at the [University of New South Wales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swansea-university) in Australia have produced a photovoltaic system that is capable of converting over 40% of sunlight into electricity. This effectively renders it the photovoltaic system with the highest solar efficiency. The system's incredible solar efficiency was made possible due to a combination of technologies including high-efficiency photovoltaic cells from Spectrolab -- a subsidiary of Being -- and so-called 'power-tower' concentrators from RayGen Resources of Australia. While testing the photovoltaic system, the researchers used focused sunlight. This sort of sunlight input is especially relevant to the kinds of photovoltaic power towers being developed in Australia. The next step is to conduct pilot scale demonstrations using the photovoltaic systems and, in the long run, leverage their technology to make [commercial solar plants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gigawatt-solar-projects) more efficient. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **High-efficiency Photovoltaic Cells:** Opportunity to develop and market high-efficiency photovoltaic cells for improved solar energy conversion. - **Power-tower Concentrators:** Potential for innovation in the development and production of power-tower concentrators for enhanced solar energy harnessing. - **Commercial Solar Plants:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in the improvement of commercial solar plants through the integration of advanced photovoltaic technology. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Renewable Energy:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in the renewable energy industry by leveraging high-efficiency photovoltaic cells and power-tower concentrators. - **Solar Power:** Innovation possibilities in the solar power industry through the development and deployment of advanced photovoltaic systems. - **Energy Technology:** Potential for disruptive innovation in the energy technology sector by improving the efficiency of commercial solar plants. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Exceptionally Efficient Solar Cells](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/efficient-solar-cell.md) - [Efficient Scalable Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perovskia-solar.md) - [Large-Scale Solar Installation Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voltage-energy-group.md) - [Roof-Mounted EV Charging Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gosun-sun.md) - [Solar-Powered Race Vehicle Innovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-race-vehicle.md) - [Solar Energy Technology Websites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-energy-technology.md) - [3D Solar Panel Modules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tipa.md) - [Challenging Photovoltaic System Deployments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photovoltaic-system1.md) - [Tree-Inspired Solar Panel Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarbotanic-energy-tree.md)