September 25, 2024 – Freiburg, Germany — The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has reached a significant milestone in solar energy technology by developing a perovskite silicon tandem solar cell that boasts an impressive efficiency of 31.6%. This advancement is particularly noteworthy as the 1 cm² solar cell features a unique hybrid manufacturing process, integrating a perovskite layer onto a standard industrially textured silicon heterojunction solar cell.
The textured surface of conventional silicon solar cells, characterized by micrometer-sized pyramids, plays a crucial role in enhancing light capture and minimizing reflection losses. By employing these established manufacturing standards, the new perovskite silicon tandem solar cells can achieve higher energy yields while facilitating easier integration into existing production processes.
Dr. Juliane Borchert, Group Leader for Perovskite Materials and Interfaces at Fraunhofer ISE, emphasizes the challenges presented by the textured surface. “Applying the perovskite layer uniformly on the pyramid-shaped silicon solar cell requires a specialized approach. Our team has been working diligently on a combined hybrid method that employs both vapor deposition and wet chemical deposition techniques to effectively overcome this challenge.”
The innovative tandem solar cell produced at Fraunhofer ISE is a culmination of findings from the research projects “PrEsto” and “MaNiTU,” with substantial collaboration from scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The efficiency rating of 31.6% has been verified by the accredited calibration laboratory CalLab at Fraunhofer ISE, marking it as the highest recorded efficiency for a perovskite silicon solar cell fabricated using an industrially textured silicon base and the hybrid deposition method.
“The key to achieving this remarkable efficiency lies in optimizing the interface between the perovskite top cell and the electron transport layer,” Dr. Borchert notes. “We believe there is potential for even greater efficiencies as we continue to refine the silicon bottom cell.”
The development of this advanced solar cell is not only a testament to the cutting-edge research at Fraunhofer ISE but also holds significant promise for the future of solar energy. With ongoing enhancements and research, the integration of perovskite materials in tandem solar cells could lead to further advancements in renewable energy technologies.
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