Hello, solar enthusiasts. I am here with another exciting update from the ever-evolving world of solar energy. If you’ve been scanning through the activities of some of the innovative solar companies, you might have come across the name Fraunhofer ISE. This Germany-based institute has been at the forefront of pushing solar technology boundaries, and their recent announcement takes the solar industry a step closer to the future.
Breaking previous records, Fraunhofer has fabricated a perovskite-silicon tandem solar module boasting an impressive power conversion efficiency of 25% and an output of 421 W. This tandem glass-glass solar module, spanning 1.68 m2, uses cells produced by Oxford PV. If you’re new to the term, a tandem solar cell is a combination of two or more solar cells, stacked to effectively absorb a broader range of the light spectrum.
Having demonstrated this world-record performance, Oxford PV and Fraunhofer ISE are proving how their tandem cells can revolutionize solar panels for your home. With solar arrays for home use becoming increasingly efficient and powerful, the viability of going solar becomes even more attractive.
What stands out about this achievement is the technology used for its manufacture. According to Stefan Glunz, head of PV at Fraunhofer ISE, the fact that they used mass production-compatible technology demonstrates the “enormous potential of tandem technology for the PV industry”. This progress brings us one step closer to wider accessibility of advanced solar technologies.
Due to the temperature-sensitivity of the perovskite layer in the tandem cells, the research team had to create low-temperature processes for interconnection and encapsulation of the solar cells. This achievement in itself is noteworthy as it shows the potential for industrial implementation in solar panel production lines.
Another challenge lay in calibrating these remarkable solar modules. Conventional measurement methods are not completely applicable to this new technology, hence a special setup had to be formulated. The process involved illuminating both the perovskite and silicon cell layers with appropriate LED light sources to mimic natural sunlight as closely as possible.
While the team is now working on certifying the PV module and conducting long-term stability tests, this innovative breakthrough has certainly added a new level of excitement for future potentialities. Increasingly efficient solar modules have immense implications for you and me, suggesting a future where powering our homes through solar arrays can come with even greater benefits.
To wrap up, it’s safe to say that solar energy is not just about panels on the roofs anymore. It’s about groundbreaking research, cutting-edge technology, and the tremendous work by solar companies like Fraunhofer ISE. As solar technology continues to evolve, solar panels for your home are set to become a compelling and powerful solution more than ever before. Stay tuned for more updates from the world of solar!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/31/fraunhofer-iseoxford-pv-produce-25-efficient-perovskite-silicon-tandem-pv-module/
