Australian uni hits 27.7% efficiency with perovskite-silicon tandem

Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have reached 27.7% efficiency with a tandem solar cell, combining a semitransparent perovskite cell and a silicon cell.

This result has been reached with interdigitated back contact silicon bottom cells (size‐unmatched). The efficiency arrived at 26.2% with passivated emitter with rear locally diffused silicon bottom cells in a 1-sq-cm size‐matched tandem.

The team aims to further increase the efficiency and improve the stability of the cells.

Professor Kylie Catchpole explains that in such tandem cells each section of the photovoltaic (PV) panel produces power. "The coverage area of solar panels is the main contributor of the cost. So if successfully commercialised this technology could lead to a significant reduction in the cost of solar electricity," Catchpole said.

The International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics predicts that tandem solar cells will go in mass production in 2023. According to Catchpole, the efficiency of the perovskite-silicon cell needs to reach around 30% for the technology to be launched globally.

ANU’s work is backed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

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