Suntech just announced that it has achieved another world record for multi-crystalline module conversion efficiency. In August, Suntech broke  Sandia National Lab’s previous record of 15.5 percent. Now, it has broken its own record by achieving conversion efficiencies of 16.53%, as verified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.

The record was achieved with Suntech’s Pluto technology. In a press release, Dr. Stuart Wenham, Suntech’s Chief Technology Officer, and Dr. Martin Green, Research Director of the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence at the University of New South Wales, Australia, commented on the achievement:

“We are very pleased to announce that our Pluto technology has been recognized as the most efficient multi-crystalline silicon technology in the world,” said Dr. Stuart Wenham. “This shows that it is possible to combine both first class R&D and low cost manufacturing into a commercially viable business model that will bring clean alternative energy to the world’s growing energy demands.”

Dr. Martin Green commented, “The 16.53% conversion efficiency Suntech module has a clear margin over other multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic technologies. It has set the new benchmark for the highest performance multi-crystalline module.”