Research on next-generation solar technologies has increased due to increased global demand for renewable energy. Especially focused on are perovskite + silicon tandem solar cells due to their ability to exceed the efficiency limits of traditional silicon photovoltaics. Even though silicon solar cells are the majority strong hold in the PV market, the efficiency limits of approx 26 to 27 percent has led scientists to explore the synergy between silicon solar cells and perovskite materials. Due to the readily available and economical methods to produce perovskite with a tunable bandgap, it serves as a good candidate for tandem structures. From simple lab experiments, the technology is evolving towards large-scale industrial production.
Why Perovskite Silicon Tandem Cells?
Tandem cells with a silicon base layer and a perovskite top layer capture a greater portion of the solar spectrum which increases overall conversion efficiency and shifts the limits of physical constraints of these cells, which are still very reliable and widely used. This configuration has already been shown in laboratory conditions to have over 33% efficiency, which is greater than the highest efficiency single-junction silicon cells.
Cost and Material Advantages
Processing of perovskite materials at low temperatures using methods such as spin coating, blade coating, and inkjet printing means these materials can be produced on a large scale cheaply and efficiently. Lightweight and flexible perovskites can be integrated into various applications such as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and portable power systems.
From Labs to Pilot Lines
Early Laboratory Research
The first devices with hybrid perovskite materials, which researchers discovered in the early 2010s, managed to achieve efficiencies of under 10%. This changed during the following years as progress in composition, interface, and stability engineering drove performance beyond 25%.
Transition to Pilot Production
Companies and research institutes have since progressed to mini-module and pilot-scale production from small-area lab cells. Pilot lines emphasize the deposition method, encapsulation, and reproducibility at scale. Slot-die coating, vapor deposition, and roll-to-roll printing are significant steps in the shift from laboratory spin-coating to industrial processes.
Factories and Industrialization
Key Industry Players
The Oxford PV has achieved notable efficiencies within Peru and is preparing for large-scale production of tandem cells, which makes them one of the first companies in the industry.
Meyer Burger (Switzerland): The company has put effort on the development of tandem technology systems while it continues to be recognized for its PV modules of high efficiency.
HoloSun and Microquanta (China): The company is receiving considerable support from the state and the private sector for the purpose of increasing the production of perovskite modules.
Heliatek (Germany): She is investigating the use of flexible tandems based on perovskite films.
Factory-Scale Challenges
Several challenges still have to be resolved before perovskite tandem cells can be transferred from the laboratory to the factory.
Stability and Degradation: Perovskites are prone to moisture, oxygen, heat and ultra-violet, which brings the need to ensure the durability of the industrial encapsulation and materials engineering, over 25+ years.
Encompassing Scalability of Deposition Techniques: Certain laboratory approaches such as spinning and coating are impractical for geater production. There is ongoing development of CVD, PVD, Slot-die, and Roll to Roll deposition systems.
Toxicity and Lead Concerns: Developing systems that efficiently sequester lead to replace high performing perovskites is essential for the systems to be widely adopted.
Production Lines for Silicon Cells: Integration with the Production Lines for Silicon Cells needs to be done with seams to rest of the production cells. It is necessary to comply to industrial regulations with the rest of the production.
Progress Toward Commercial Modules
Increased production of Large-area tandem modules of consistent quality is reported from multiple factories. Pilot factories have set the year 2025 as the first for planned commercialization, with 2030 as a potential additional mark. It will be necessary to put effort on the reduction of costs per unit of manufactured perovskite for systems that route the rest of the modules.
Applications and market potential
Expected improvements in solar panel and solar farm efficiency
Being able to achieve in excess of 30% efficiency could change solar farms. It would result in more power produced per unit area, significantly lowering land use.
BIPV.
As the perovskite layers can be either transparent or semi-transparent, these layers can be tandem cells integrated into windows, facades, and rooftops of buildings without any loss of beauty or designs.
Adaptable and Light Weight Solar Modules
Research into the application of perovskite- and silicon-based modules and skylights to wearables, photovoltaic electric vehicles, solar portable chargers, and solar-powered aircraft is expanding the perimeter of solar energy applications beyond power plants.
Research-Factory Collaboration
Collaboration of research and academic individual institutes with industrial firms has blossomed. Academic institutes concentrate on material design and defect dynamics, while industrial firms perfect large area deposition, encapsulation, and automation. PPPs, EU Horizon, and DOE initiatives are speeding the process of research commercialization.
Future View of Perovskite Solar Cells
Rapid evolution in stability and upscaling is likely to make perovskite and silicon tandem cells the standard solar cells in ten years. Industry insiders expect these tandem modules to gradually replace the market of ultra-efficient technology silicon modules like TOPCon and HJT.
If the manufacturing challenges are solved, the technology could greatly help in attaining net zero energy across the globe, facilitating the adoption of renewable sources of energy at lower costs and greater efficiencies.
Frequently asked questions
- Perovskite + Silicon Tandem Cells
Perovskite + silicon tandem cells integrate a perovskite solar layer above a traditional silicon solar cell allowing for greater solar energy capture and more efficient photovoltaic operation than a silicon single junction cell.
- Why are Perovskite tandem cells more efficient?
Using a multi-junction design where the perovskite layer captures the high energy photons and the silicon captures the lower energy photons, energy losses are minimized and efficiency is maximized.
- What is the current efficiency record for perovskite-silicon tandem cells?
Recent Reports show that laboratory tandem cells are more than 33% efficient and commercial modules are moving towards achieving 25-30% efficiency.
- What are the challenges that prevent mass production of Perovskite-silicon tandem cells?
The primary obstacles are the stability of the materials being used, deposition techniques, the toxicity of the lead, and the integration of the cells with current silicon production processes.
- When will perovskite-silicon tandem modules be commercially available?
Pilot production is already in progress and is expected to be commercially available between 2025 and 2030, depending on industrial scaling success.
- The environmental impact of perovskite-silicon tandem cells.
Although most advanced perovskites contain lead, there is research on alternatives to lead, along with approaches to ensure full encapsulation of environmental safe designs.
- Which firms are most advanced in the construction of perovskite-silicon tandem cells?
Important companies include Oxford PV, Meyer Burger, Microquanta, HoloSun, and others, all of which have active pilot lines and plans for factory-scale production.
