(Image credit: Oxford PV)
Chinese solar technology firm Longi have set a new world record of efficiency for a Silicon-Perovskite tandem solar cell.
Perovskite cells have also passed the theoretical efficiency limit of standard solar cells.
The revolutionary material has allowed the solar cells to reach 33.9% efficiency. Reaching this level of efficiency also broke the theoretical limit of 33.7% efficiency for the first time of a standard single junction cell, which are found in commercial solar panels.
The developments in cell technology have allowed more electricity to be generated from the same area of light as before.
Silicon (mono-si) and standard Perovskite solar cells registered 26.1% efficiency, significantly less than Perovskite-tandem cells.
Researchers at Nanjing University have explained that mass production of these cells are possible.
The researchers continued to explain that Solar panels using Perovskite-tandem cells will be 50% cheaper and 50% more efficient than traditional silicon cells.
Oxford PV, a UK based start-up, have begun commercialising the technology and are hopeful of beginning full scale production at their German facility later this year.
Chris Case the Chief Technology Officer of Oxford PV told The Independent:
“Current silicon solar panels have reached their physical limits. We’ve got a way to transform the efficiency of these solar cells with perovskite… The biggest challenge by far is durability and reliability. We already have great efficiency – much greater than current silicon cells – so most of our research and development is spent enhancing reliability, not efficiency.”
The revolutionary material has started being used in the creation of other renewable technologies; these include:
- Self-healing solar panels.
- These panels maintain efficiency levels for tens to hundreds of years.
- Double sided solar panels.
- Building integrated solar panels.
- Spaced based electricity generation.
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