Maybe I missed it in the article, but what was considered a good efficiency prior to this?
Main page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency
Have a look at the types of markers shown on the image key again. While vast amounts of resources are being dumped on efficient electricity extraction through expensive, advanced manufacturing processes, some are looking at going back to organics, which NREL classes as 'emerging'. Apparently hybrid organic/electrical photovoltaics date back to 1958, and can produce 11.1% (roughly 1/3-1/2 of currently available manufactured products) efficiency while remaining cheap to produce at high volumes. Mitsubishi is one of the research leaders.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-world-solar-cell-efficiency.htm...