‘Record’ Tandem Cell Efficiency

• Oxford PV has announced 28.6% 'record' conversion efficiency for commercial sized tandem cell
• The 258.15 cm² sized perovskite thin-film cell was deposited on silicon HJT cell at its integrated production line in Germany
• The company says it has committed initial production of its tandem cells and is ramping up to higher volumes

The University of Oxford spin-off Oxford PV has announced a 'record' efficiency of 28.6% for commercial sized solar cell using perovskite-silicon configuration produced at its integrated production line in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.

It achieved this efficiency on a commercial-sized M4 (258.15 cm²) solar cell with the perovskite thin-film cell was deposited onto a conventional silicon heterojunction (HJT) cell.

Oxford PV says this conversion efficiency is substantially higher than that of mainstream silicon-only solar cells that average 22% to 24%.

Previously, the technology company achieved 26.8% efficiency for a commercial sized cell, certified by Germany's Fraunhofer ISE.

"Our latest efficiency achievement of 28.6% is more than 1.5% above our record set last year and exceeds our own roadmap plan of 1% annual increases," said Oxford PV's CTO Chris Case. "These record-setting solar cells are made on the same production line as our 27% efficient commercial solar cells, which already meet strict performance and reliability targets."

The company is part of a Fraunhofer ISE led consortium that aims to accurately measure perovskite-based tandem solar modules via a solar simulator prepared by Wavelabs (see Solar Simulator For Tandem Modules).

Oxford PV says its Brandenburg line has committed initial production of its tandem solar cells for integration by solar module manufacturing partners and it is ramping up to higher volumes.