18th November 2023 New record solar cell efficiency A new record high efficiency of 33.9% is reported for a silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell.
LONGi, a Chinese photovoltaics company, has announced a new world record of 33.9% for the efficiency of crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells – beating the previous record of 33.7% achieved at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) in May this year. The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which maintains a chart of all research cell efficiencies from 1976 to the present, has independently verified and certified this latest percentage. The new record efficiency means that crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem has now surpassed the Shockley–Queisser (S-Q) theoretical efficiency limit of 33.7% for single junction solar cells for the first time. This provides meaningful empirical data to demonstrate its advantages over crystalline silicon single junction cells. Within 10 years, the theoretical limit of 43–45% for tandem cells may be reached too, if the current trend in progress continues:
This month's announcement from LONGi is the first time that a Chinese company has broken the world record since the NREL began measuring this emerging class of solar cells in 2016. While several other classes appear to be reaching a plateau, crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem technology has opened up a new track for the development of next-generation, high-efficiency solar cell technology. This means that the same area, absorbing the same light, can emit more electricity. As a cost-oriented industry, reducing costs and increasing efficiency are the core of development in the photovoltaic industry. Continuously improving the conversion efficiency of solar cells is an effective measure to reduce the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), allowing these devices to be more and more competitive with fossil fuels and other forms of energy production. "LONGi has always been willing to devote more strength to exploring cutting-edge development technologies," said Zhenguo Li, Founder and President of LONGi. "For a long time, we have laid out various technological routes in the R&D sector, and collaborated with multiple parties to create efficient models and collaborative innovation mechanisms. This not only builds the 'moat' of LONGi, but also helps enterprises cross the industry development cycle. I also call on the entire industry to return to the main track of technological competition and promote China's photovoltaic industry to continue to lead the world through continuous technological innovation".
Crystal structure of perovskite, which has been hailed as a "miracle material".
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