"One of the important ways to make solar energy cheaper is to improve the amount of sunlight that solar cells can convert into electricity. So it’s a big deal to see that First Solar announced on Tuesday that it’s managed to create a record 18.7 percent solar cell, up from the 17.3 percent cell it touted in July 2011."

So writes Ucilia Wang on the popular tech site, GigaOM.

Her story also provides a quick background on the competition between U.S. and Chinese companies in developing solar panels and the debate over whether to make solar cells from silicon or cadmium-telluride.

You’ll find it at: First Solar’s new world record for solar cell efficiency and why it’s important

Related solar energy news  stories: 
First Solar’s news release on its new world record
Ubiquitous Energy sets focus on solar cell technology
The price of solar power