Solar panel efficiency is the amount of sunlight (solar irradiance) that falls on the surface of a solar panel and is converted into electricity. Due to the many advances in photovoltaic technology over the last decade, the average panel conversion efficiency has increased from 15% to. NLR maintains a chart of the highest confirmed conversion efficiencies for champion modules for a range of photovoltaic technologies, plotted from 1988 to the present. Learn how NLR can help your team with certified efficiency measurements. y output to its life cycle primary energy input. One study found that amorphous insert silicon graph PVs generate here 3-6 time n struck by light, producing electrical current. Various materials can be used, including silicon, copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), cadmium telluride (CdTe).