Last week on 14-15 March, the PV Cell Tech conference took place in Berlin, Germany bringing together experts from the photovoltaics (PV) industry to discuss innovative technologies in solar cells and manufacturing processes.
On the second day of the conference, as part of the session dedicated to Tandem & Hybrid Cell Concepts: Pilot Line & Technology –Transfer Activity, PEPPERONI’s coordinator Bernd Stannowski from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) delivered his presentation on “Challenges in upscaling of monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells“.
Efficiency race
In recent years, there has been a continuous increase in efficiency values for perovskite tandem solar cells by different research institutions and PV companies worldwide. At the end of 2021, teams from HZB achieved a then-record value of 29.8% efficiency. Later, in the summer of 2022, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, was able to surpass that value achieving 31.3% efficiency. The latest record, since the end of 2022, is back with the researchers from HZB with a certified efficiency of 32.5%. As efficiency records tumble and devices become more stable, Europe is seeing the beginnings of a race to commercialise high-efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells and modules.
Silicon-based solar-cell technology is developing and growing extremely fast and Europe has to work hard to bring production along the value chain back. Tandem cells still need some time to be ready for the market but are a great chance for Europe. – says Prof. Stannowski
In his presentation, Prof. Stannowski talked about the benefits of using perovskite in tandem solar cells, he presented various facilities for perovskite material and device development to further share insights into roads for upscaling processes of lab-size solar cells into industry-size cells. On the occasion, Prof. Stannowski also introduced attendees to PEPPERONI, the project’s aims as well as its innovation roadmap and engaged in lively discussions about the future of perovskite/silicon tandem PV technology.
As Prof. Stannowski summarises:
It was a great conference to get the latest update on trends in technology and production of PV worldwide and a good occasion to meet friends and colleagues and extend the network.
Read more about the project and technology on our website and stay tuned for updates on various activities on our channels, LinkedIn.
