Space Computing Energy Tech Transport Science Dev Loyalty ↗ ◐ Dark mode ◎ Enable Alerts
Compare · Solar cells

4-junction III-V concentrator vs CIGS thin film

RANKED BY INDEPENDENTLY CERTIFIED RESEARCH-CELL EFFICIENCY #1 VS #7 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%); CIGS thin film ranks #7 (23.35%).

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 07 of 8
Independently certified research-cell efficiency
23.35%
MakerSolar Frontier
Date2018
Verified04 Sept 2026
Evidence
NREL chart / Progress in Photovoltaics tables: Cd-free CIGS 23.35% +/- 0.5%, AIST Nov 2018, Solar Frontier.
Try another pair
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
Full Solar cells ranking Spot an error? Send a tip