April 29, 2024

Revolutionary Leap in Solar Energy: Researchers Crack 30% Efficiency Threshold With Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Cells

Scientists in 2 different research studies have actually developed methods to make perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with power conversion performances exceeding 30%, pressing past the conventional limitations of silicon-based photovoltaics. One research study accomplished performance by enhancing perovskite deposition on a silicon base utilizing phosphonic acid ingredients, while the other used ionic liquid to improve charge extraction, leading to efficiencies of 31.2% and 32.5% respectively.
In two separate research studies, scientists present unique methods that enable the fabrication of high-performance perovskite-silicon tandem solar batteries with power conversion efficiencies exceeding 30%. Silicon solar cells, which represent the most widespread photovoltaic (PV) innovation, are quickly nearing their theoretical optimum power conversion performance (PCE) of 29%.
One method to increase the efficiency of a solar cell is to optimize the spectrum of sunlight for conversion into energy. This can be done by stacking 2 or more interconnected photoactive products into a singular gadget, improving the harvesting of solar power. Combining perovskite and silicon solar batteries into a tandem gadget could provide an appealing course toward high-performance PVs.
Here, in 2 separate studies, researchers present different methods for establishing perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with a PCE exceeding 30%.

” Overcoming this threshold supplies self-confidence that high-performance, low-priced PVs can be given the marketplace,” writes Stefaan De Wolf and Erkan Aydin in a related Perspective.
In one study, Xin Yu Chin and associates reveal that the consistent deposition of the perovskite top cell on a silicon bottom cell including micrometric pyramids– the market basic setup– can help with high photocurrents in tandem solar batteries.
Chin et al. demonstrate that utilizing phosphonic acid additives throughout the processing sequence of the cells not just enhanced the perovskite formation process, however likewise assisted to relieve recombination losses. In a proof-of-concept, the authors made a gadget with an active location of 1.17 square centimeters that attained a certified PCE of 31.2%.
Taking a different method, Silvia Mariotti and colleagues show that utilizing an ionic liquid– piperazinium iodide– improved band alignment and improved charge extraction at the interface of a trihalide perovskite and the electron-transport layer by producing a positive dipole. Utilizing this adjustment, Mariotti et al. developed a perovskite-silicon tandem solar battery that showed a remarkable open circuit voltage of up to 2.0 volts and a certified PCE of as much as 32.5%.
Referrals: “Interface passivation for 31.25%- efficient perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells” by Xin Yu Chin, Deniz Turkay, Julian A. Steele, Saba Tabean, Santhana Eswara, Mounir Mensi, Peter Fiala, Christian M. Wolff, Adriana Paracchino, Kerem Artuk, Daniel Jacobs, Quentin Guesnay, Florent Sahli, Gaëlle Andreatta, Mathieu Boccard, Quentin Jeangros and Christophe Ballif, 6 July 2023, Science.DOI: 10.1126/ science.adg0091.
” Interface engineering for high-performance, triple-halide perovskite– silicon tandem solar cells” by Silvia Mariotti, Eike Köhnen, Florian Scheler, Kári Sveinbjörnsson, Lea Zimmermann, Manuel Piot, Fengjiu Yang, Bor Li, Jonathan Warby, Artem Musiienko, Dorothee Menzel, Felix Lang, Sebastian Keßler, Igal Levine, Daniele Mantione, Amran Al-Ashouri, Marlene S. Härtel, Ke Xu, Alexandros Cruz, Jona Kurpiers, Philipp Wagner, Hans Köbler, Jinzhao Li, Artiom Magomedov, David Mecerreyes, Eva Unger, Antonio Abate, Martin Stolterfoht, Bernd Stannowski, Rutger Schlatmann, Lars Korte and Steve Albrecht, 6 July 2023, Science.DOI: 10.1126/ science.adf5872.

One method to increase the efficiency of a solar cell is to optimize the spectrum of sunlight for conversion into energy. This can be done by stacking 2 or more interconnected photoactive materials into a particular device, enhancing the harvesting of solar energy. Integrating perovskite and silicon solar cells into a tandem gadget could provide a promising path towards high-performance PVs.