HZB Researchers Push Solar Cell Performance Limits
The tandem cell consists of a combination of CIGS and perovskite and achieves a certified record efficiency of 24.6%. - © G. Farias Basulto / HZB
In a significant advancement for renewable energy, researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and Humboldt University have developed a tandem solar cell that sets a new world record in energy conversion efficiency.
According to a press release from the HZB, the innovative solar cell combines two semiconductor thin-film layers - a CIGS (Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenium) bottom layer and a perovskite top layer - achieving an impressive 24.6% efficiency. This milestone was independently certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.
Thin-film solar cells are particularly noteworthy for their minimal energy and material requirements, resulting in a remarkably low ecological footprint. Unlike traditional silicon solar cells, CIGS thin-films can even be applied to flexible surfaces, expanding potential applications.
The breakthrough emerged from collaborative teamwork. TU Berlin master's student Thede Mehlhop, supervised by Stefan Gall, developed the top cell. The perovskite absorber layer was created in a joint HZB and Humboldt University laboratory, while HZB researcher Guillermo Farias Basulto manufactured the CIGS bottom layer and contact layers using the high-performance KOALA cluster system.
"We have highly specialized laboratories and experts who deliver top performances in their fields," said Prof. Rutger Schlatmann, Head of Solar Energy at HZB. "This world record tandem cell demonstrates how fruitfully they can collaborate."
Most excitingly, researchers are optimistic about future improvements. Prof. Schlatmann believes CIGS-perovskite tandem cells could potentially reach efficiencies exceeding 30%, promising even more exciting developments in solar technology.
