NREL and CSEM show future promise of dual-junction stacked cell with new efficiency record

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
NREL and CSEM show future promise of dual-junction stacked  III-V/Si cell with new efficiency record of 29.8%.

Collaboration by the U.S. Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and at the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) has set a certified record conversion efficiency of 29.8% for a III-V/Si solar cell.

The mechanically stacked and separately made solar cell was comprised of a silicon heterojunction base cell with a gallium indium phosphide cell on top, giving it a dual-junction formation that “exceeded the theoretical limit of 29.4 percent for crystalline silicon solar cells,” according to senior researcher at NREL, David Young. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

“We believe that the silicon heterojunction technology is today the most efficient silicon technology for application in tandem solar cells” said, Christophe Ballif, head of PV activities at CSEM.

“CSEM partnered with the NREL scientists with the objective to demonstrate that 30 percent efficient tandem cells can be realized using silicon heterojunction bottom cells, thanks to the combination with high performance top cells such as those developed by NREL,” said Matthieu Despeisse, the manager of crystalline silicon activities at CSEM.

A new design for the dual-junction solar cell and contributions from CSEM were said to be key to setting the new record, yet greater efficiencies are possible with closer collaboration, according to the research centres. 

Multi-junction cells hold the promise of significantly higher efficiencies than that of conventional silicon cells but have remained extremely expensive to fabricate and confined to niche space markets. 

Ultimately, at some future point in time, sequential high-volume thin-film deposition techniques could produce lower-cost cells. 

Read Next

November 4, 2024
The cases are being pursued against JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, and Trinasolar, some of the world's largest PV manufacturers.
November 4, 2024
Swedish thin-film solar manufacturer Midsummer has inked a partnership with defence and security company Saab to deliver a 200MW turnkey solar cell factory in Thailand.
November 1, 2024
Chinese solar manufacturer Aiko Solar said yesterday (31 October) it has partnered with the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) to launch a US$4 million initiative aiming to achieve 30% efficiency with interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells.
October 31, 2024
Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), has opened a new AU$6.8 million (US$4.47 million) printed flexible solar cell facility in Victoria.
October 22, 2024
Hounen Solar and Solar Long PV-Tech have said they do not have the resources to continue participating in the investigation.
October 7, 2024
The new projects will support new capacity in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico as well as Maine.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 12, 2024
San Diego, USA
Solar Media Events, Upcoming Webinars
November 13, 2024
4pm GMT / 8am PST
Solar Media Events
November 19, 2024
Philadelphia, USA
Solar Media Events
November 20, 2024
Zhuhai, China
Solar Media Events
November 21, 2024
London, UK