Story perspectives

Researchers Achieve 130% Solar Efficiency with New Method

4/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at Kyushu University (Japan) and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany) report solar energy conversion efficiency of 130%, exceeding the 100% theoretical limit via singlet fission.
They achieved this by pairing a molybdenum-based metal complex with tetracene to minimize energy losses from competing mechanisms.
The work remains proof-of-concept.
The team plans to integrate these materials into solid-state systems for practical solar cells.

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Story summary

Researchers at Kyushu University (Japan) and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany) report solar energy conversion efficiency of 130%, exceeding the 100% theoretical limit via singlet fission.
They achieved this by pairing a molybdenum-based metal complex with tetracene to minimize energy losses from competing mechanisms.
The work remains proof-of-concept.
The team plans to integrate these materials into solid-state systems for practical solar cells.