ReneSola Claims New Wafer Will Boost Solar Cell Efficiency To 17.5 Percent

ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) a major manufacturer of solar products based in Jiashan, China announced this week that its new silicon-based wafer, dubbed the Virtus, boosts multicrystalline solar cell efficiency to 17.5 percent. The company plans to sell the Virtus Wafer to manufacturers of multicrystalline solar cells. Its earlier customers in this segment have included: Suntech Power , JA Solar, and ARISE Technologies . JC Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of ReneSola which makes multicrystalline solar cells and modules, will both test and use the Virtus in its products, of course. Why is ReneSola shouting their un-verified wafer claims to the rooftops? Is this really a huge breakthrough?