HZB establishes a new efficiency record for CIGS Perovskite Tandem solar cells
Researchers from Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy (HZB) and Humboldt University Berlin have developed a Cigs-Perovskite Tandem Solar cell that has set a new world record for efficiency, in which 24.6%is achieved. The performance of the cell is officially certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
Thin film solar cells, such as those based on copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), require minimal material and energy to produce, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional solar cells based on silicon. CIGS Dunne films can also be applied to flexible substrates, extending their potential applications.
The new tandem solar cell developed by HZB and Humboldt University combines a CIGS floor cell with a PEROVSKIET top cell. By optimizing the contact layers between these two components, the research team successfully increased efficiency to a record -breaking 24.6%. This milestone was confirmed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems Isee in Freiburg, Germany.
This performance was made possible by a cooperation effort among researchers. The top cell was developed by Thede Mehlhop, a master’s student at TU Berlin, under the supervision of Stefan Gall. The Perovskiet-Absorber layer was founded in the joint laboratory of HZB and Humboldt University Berlin, while the CIGS subcel and contact layers were manufactured by HZB researcher Guillermo Farias Basulto. In addition, the Koala cluster system at HZB was used to deposit the perovskiet and contact layers in a vacuum.
“At HZB we have highly specialized laboratories and experts who are top performers in their fields. With this world record tandem cell they have again demonstrated how fruitful they work together,” said Prof. Rutger Schlatmann, spokesperson for the Solar Energy Department at HZB.
HZB has a strong track record in achieving world records in the efficiency of solar cells, including earlier performance in silicon-perovskiet tandem cells and now in Cigs-Perovskite tandem technology.
“We are convinced that Cigs-Perovskite can achieve tandem cells much higher efficiency, probably more than 30%,” said Prof. Rutger Schlatmann.
