Tandem Solar Cells Provide Stable Performance, Deliver Maximum Efficiency
Written by AZoMDec 11 2020
Significantly greater efficiencies can be achieved by solar cells containing a pair of semiconductors with varying bandgaps when used in combination, compared to individual solar cells on their own.
The schematic structure of the tandem solar cell stack in 3D. Image Caption: Eike Koehnen/Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin.
This is because tandem cells make use of the solar spectrum in a more efficient way. Specifically, traditional silicon solar cells efficiently change the infrared components of light into electrical energy, whereas some perovskite compounds can effectively use the visible components of solar light, rendering this a robust combination.
Credit: Eike Koehnen/HZB
Solar cells consisting of two semiconductors with differing band gaps can achieve considerably higher efficiencies when used in tandem compared to the individual cells on their own. This is because tandem cells use the solar spectrum more efficiently. In particular, conventional silicon solar cells primarily convert the infrared components of light efficiently into electrical energy, while certain perovskite compounds can effectively utilise the visible components of sunlight, making this a powerful combination.
In the beginning of 2020, a team headed by Prof. Steve Albrecht at the HZB broke the previous world record for tandem solar cells made of perovskite and silicon (28.0%, Oxford PV), setting a new world record of 29.15%. Compared to the highest certified and scientifically published efficiency (26.2% in DOI: 10,1126/science.aba3433), this is a giant step forward. The new value has been certified at Fraunhofer ISE and listed in the NREL chart (press
Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells at the magic threshold of 30% efficiency techxplore.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from techxplore.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.