A solar energy provider says it has set a new world record for thin-film cell efficiency.

In joint research with Japan’s National Research and Development Agency’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Solar Frontier K.K. achieved a 22.9% conversion efficiency rate using its CIS (copper, indium and selenium) technology.

It claims this result is 0.3% higher than the previous record of 22.6%.

The company credits the success to technologies such as CIS absorber engineering and enhanced surface treatment.

Thin-film solar technologies can be used to produce flexible panels, which are better suited to certain applications than traditional, heavier solar units.

Researchers have previously achieved a record solar cell efficiency of 35.9% in silicon-based triple-junction solar cells.