Swedish thin-film solar PV company Midsummer and researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have achieved 24.9% efficiency for a perovskite-copper, indium, gallium, selenium (CIGS) tandem solar cell using 4-terminal (4T) architecture. They aim to produce highly competitive 2T perovskite-CIGS cells for mass production.
For their efficiency claim, the team of researchers used top layer of high bandgap perovskite and bottom layer of CIGS cell. The 4T cell, developed by UCLA Professor Yang Yang, is optimized for integration with the solar cells developed by Midsummer and used in the company's commercial line of BIPV products, shared the Swedish company.
"The results of the tests show that it is possible to manufacture a tandem solar cell using a proven process – Midsummer's – and by using Midsummer's DUO machine. The DUO production system can provide high-performance CIGS solar cells with dimensions of 156 mm x 156 mm on a flexible stainless-steel substrate," added Midsummer. No other details were shared by the duo.
UCLA has been working on improving perovskites with a view to enhance their durability and efficiency. Under a December 2022 UCLA research, the team added neodymium ions directly to halide perovskite instead of adding protective layers, leading to higher efficiency for the cells (see UCLA Research On Protecting Perovskite From Deterioration).
Midsummer, that operates a 50 MW manufacturing fab in Italy, has also supplied its UNO machine to the University of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia to conduct solar cell research for thin-film cells and develop a new innovative type of tandem solar cell. For the perovskite-CIGS mass production facility no timeline was provided.
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