We are now the National Laboratory of the Rockies. Please update your bookmarks to www.nlr.gov by May 29, 2026.

Interactive Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart

NLR maintains a chart of the highest confirmed conversion efficiencies for research cells for a range of photovoltaic technologies. This is an interactive version of that chart.

See the original, static version of this chart.

To use the interactive chart:

  • Click and drag across the chart below to select a smaller date range. Click "Reset Zoom" in the upper-right corner to zoom back out.
  • Check or uncheck technologies to show or hide them on the chart. The current view can be downloaded as an image using the menu in the upper-right corner.
  • Mouse over points to see more data (when available). Points with no data associated with them are not guaranteed to be accurate.

If you have issues using the interactive chart, please let us know.

The interactive chart is only available on large screens. View the PDF.

Best Research-Cell Efficiencies

Line chart with 32 lines.

A chart of the highest confirmed conversion efficiencies for research cells for a range of photovoltaic technologies, plotted from 1976 to the present.

The chart displays record research cell efficiencies for five major technologies: crystalline silicon cells, single-junction gallium arsenide cells, multijunction cells, thin films, and emerging PV. Efficiencies have increased across all technologies over the last 50 years.

The chart has 1 X axis displaying Time. Data ranges from 1976-02-01 00:00:00 to 2026-01-17 00:00:00.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Cell Efficiency (%). Data ranges from 0.6 to 47.6.
Reset ZoomReset Zoom(Rev. 05-06-2026)
End of interactive chart.
 

Share

Last Updated April 3, 2026