A solar cell manufactured by Spectrolab Inc. has set a world record for its efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity, prompting the Sylmar company to increase its local production capacity and hire more workers.

Spectrolab, a subsidiary of Boeing Co. that manufactures solar cells, solar panels and high intensity searchlights, was able to convert 41.6 percent of concentrated sunlight into electricity during testing at the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. It broke a record of 41.1 percent held by the Fraunhofer Institute in Munich, Germany.

A half-percent increase in efficiency is considered huge in the industry, and the new cell will be incorporated into the company’s product line early next year for installation on satellites. That will mean adding about 50 employees to its local plant, raising the company’s total work force to 500, said Spectrolab President David Lillington.

What’s more, he added, the efficiency increase is bringing solar technology close in cost to carbon-based fuels, since fewer cells are required to produce a given amount of electricity. In several years, Lillington said that he hopes the company will be able to sell the new cells to utilities seeking sources of green power.

“This latest record brings the energy industry one step closer to achieving affordable solar electricity. The cost of electricity produced by solar farms today needs to be comparable with what we pay on our electricity bills every month, so efficiency is important,” he said “It’s very likely you will purchase green energy produced from Spectrolab technology through your conventional electricity provider within the next five years.”

Spectrolab was founded in 1956 by L.A. entrepreneur Alfred Mann to develop solar cells for satellites. It was the first company founded by Mann who has gone on to start several others and amass billions in wealth. In 1975, Mann sold Spectrolab to Hughes Aircraft Co., which was itself acquired by Boeing in 2000.

Spectrolab cells currently power 60 percent of the satellites orbiting Earth, as well as the International Space Station.

Larry Kazmerski, executive director of science and technology partnerships at the renewable energy lab in Colorado, said the increased efficiency may look minimal, but Spectrolab’s breakthrough is a significant improvement because efficiency gains are usually about 0.1 percent at a time.

Kazmerski also said that most solar cell advancements are made in laboratories and not by commercial businesses, which helps push the technology out to the marketplace faster.

“That’s a significant step toward bringing more power to clients who need it,” he said.

True Origin-al

In another local technology breakthrough, OriginOil has found a new way to transform algae into a source of fuel.

The Century City company’s technology, called Live Extraction, promises a better way to “milk” algae of its oil without killing it, as other technology commonly does.

Algae typically protect their oil behind a tough cell wall. With the use of electrical pulses, OriginOil’s technique allows the oil to be extracted safely so the algae can produce more oil.

Algae oil can be used for products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents without the global-warming effects of petroleum, according to company officials.

Other processes commonly used by OriginOil and other companies in algae oil extraction rely on harvesting the algae, extracting the oil – which is commonly fatal to the cell – and then waiting for a fresh batch of algae to grow.

OriginOil plans to merge the two methods in future experiments. The company also has filed a patent for the Live Extraction procedure.

Brewing Business

A microbrewery is on tap for Agoura Hills, complete with a 35-foot-high grain silo to store barley for beer manufacturing.

The brew pub, called Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie, will occupy the 4,362-square-foot restaurant space vacated by Chuy’s Mesquite Broiler at 29281 Agoura Road. After receiving city approval last month, the owners have started remodeling, with a grand opening set for early November. The microbrewery has a 10-year lease valued at $1.5 million.

The restaurant is owned by Ladyface Ale Companie LLC, run by Agoura Hills residents Cyrena and Jean Luc Nouzille.

Most of the beer will be made on site, although the pub will feature some other brands. David Griffiths will be the head brewer and 15 to 20 employees will be hired.

Staff reporter Francisco Vara-Orta can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 549-5225, ext. 241.