Hello everyone! If you’re like me and have a great interest in solar energy, you would be just as excited to see the recent advancements in solar technology, especially regarding some promising developments with perovskite tandem devices. This new solar technology breakthrough may not quite be a household term just yet, but the buzz within the solar community and among solar companies are mounting. So, what’s the big deal with these perovskite tandem devices? Allow me to shed some light.
Perovskite tandem devices are leading the charge for next-generation solar cell technology. Back in January, researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, in collaboration with Oxford PV, were able to produce a full-sized perovskite tandem module that boasted an impressive conversion efficiency of 25%! At only 421 W, this power output may not compete with large-format modules manufactured by solar industry giants, but it’s a substantial step toward progress.
To accurately measure the crystalline silicon solar cell and perovskite cells, scientists used a multispectral solar simulator, which allows different light spectra to be applied to the cell under continuous illumination. Ensuring the light source’s continuous intensity and spectral stability was particularly important for the tandem devices. The light provided by these specialized LED sources must mimic the sun as closely as possible across the module’s entire surface.
However, precisely characterizing perovskite solar devices is not easy. It requires not just new equipment, but also innovative processes. Taking this into account, the accurate measurement of the power output of these devices is a significant challenge in itself. This is because highly specific spectrally adjustable solar simulators are necessary for this purpose. Despite these hurdles, leaps are being made in this area, which is causing optimism about the commercialization of perovskite tandem devices.
In fact, Karl Melkonyan, a PV technology analyst, rightly notes that perovskite tandems have the “best chances for commercialization” among next-generation solar cell technologies. They can be combined with either crystalline silicon or thin film solar cells, thereby boosting their utility. Their efficiency has already surpassed 25%, marking quite an improvement since their early days.
So, what are the implications when it comes to the utility of solar panels for your home or installing a solar array for your home? Indeed, the commercial implications are vast. Perovskite tandem devices are very promising because of their ability to capture different light wavelengths, thus bringing a potential revolution to your home solar installations. The silicon cells coupled with the thin-film perovskite cells can result in small-scale research cells with efficiencies beyond 30%.
However, the road from lab efficiency to larger cells and modules is rather steep. The total efficiency of a tandem structure can be much lower than the sum of those individual efficiencies. This is often due to a current mismatch between the bottom and top cells. Aside from the technical challenges, there is also the commercial aspect to consider. Current testing methods may not be suitable for mass production as it needs longer exposure times.
But worry not, as the solar community is rather persistent. A more pragmatic test routine is being considered that involves preconditioning of the module using light soaking, followed by a fast I-V sweep using high-quality illumination.
In a nutshell, perovskite tandem devices, with their tantalizing prospects, could very well revolutionize the solar industry and have a profound impact on how we use solar panels for our homes. The solar industry is continuously evolving with new breakthroughs, and these developments will profoundly influence the products and services provided by solar companies. For anyone contemplating solar panels for their home or installing a solar array, following these developments in perovskite tandem device technology will keep you ahead of the curve. I’m excited to see how this technology evolves and how it will shape the future of solar energy! Are you thrilled as I am? Let me know!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/29/shedding-light-on-tandem-perovskite-solar-cell-progress/
