Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab Inc of Sylmar, CA, USA has raised its world record for energy conversion efficiency in a ground-based solar cell without solar concentration from 37.8% (set in April) to 38.8%, as verified by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO.

Spectrolab manufactured the high-efficiency multi-junction solar cell, which was developed from new Boeing semiconductor bonding technology. This solar cell technology could be used to power high-power spacecraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Spectrolab (part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security) claims to be the world's leading merchant supplier of high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells and panels for concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) and spacecraft power systems, in addition to being the world's leading provider of airborne searchlights.

"We will continue to innovate new ways to achieve even better results," says Spectrolab's president Troy Dawson.