Compare · Solar cells
4-junction III-V concentrator vs CdTe thin film
RANKED BY INDEPENDENTLY CERTIFIED RESEARCH-CELL EFFICIENCY
#1 VS #8
CHECKED 06 SEPT 2026
Side by side
Verdict
4-junction III-V concentrator ranks #1 of 8 on Independently certified research-cell efficiency (47.6%); CdTe thin film ranks #8 (23.1%).
Rank 01 of 8 · leads
Independently certified research-cell efficiency
47.6%
MakerFraunhofer ISE
Date2022
Verified04 Sept 2026
Evidence
Fraunhofer ISE press release 30 May 2022: four-junction cell reached 47.6% at 665 suns, CalLab measurement. Same figure is the top flag on NREL/NLR Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart PDF Rev. 05-12-2026. Concentrator result — not a one-sun flat-plate cell.Rank 08 of 8
Independently certified research-cell efficiency
23.1%
MakerFirst Solar
Date2024
Verified04 Sept 2026
Evidence
Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 68): CdTe cell 23.1% +/- 0.3%, NREL (5/24), First Solar. Same official-table pipeline as the NREL Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart. Thin-film class, one-sun.Try another pair
More 4-junction III-V concentrator matchups
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- 4-junction III-V concentrator vs Perovskite/silicon tandem (two-terminal)
- 4-junction III-V concentrator vs Single-junction GaAs
- 4-junction III-V concentrator vs Crystalline silicon HIBC
- 4-junction III-V concentrator vs CIGS thin film
Source NREL/NLR Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart, certifying-lab announcements (Fraunhofer ISE, NREL, LONGi/ESTI/ISFH), and Progress in…
Last checked 06 Sept 2026