Sunovia Energy Technologies Inc. and EPIR Technologies Inc. announced that they have successfully demonstrated optical down-conversion for increased solar cell energy efficiency. Optical down-conversion enhances solar cell efficiency by converting the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light into visible light which can be used more effectively by the solar cell.

With optical down-conversion, much of the energy from UV light which was wasted can now be converted into electricity, making the overall solar cell system more energy efficient. Sunovia and EPIR have demonstrated energy down-conversion in glass ceramic materials containing ultra-small crystalline particles (nanoparticles).

The nanoparticles contain a rare earth ion that makes them transparent to visible light, creating an ideal top layer for solar cells which are typically covered with a sheet of glass in most cases. The ceramic glass material which hosts the nanoparticles is also particularly instrumental in safeguarding efficiency by minimizing energy loss due to heat. Further, this down-conversion technology is compatible with nearly all types of rigid solar cells in the market today.

"I believe EPIR is uniquely qualified to become the leader in the development of advanced solar cells due to their in-depth understanding of energy absorption in materials. Infrared technology and solar technology are very similar," said Dr. Jacqueline Johnson a researcher at the University of Tennessee, and formerly part of EPIR.