Project Name: Perovskite on Silicon Tandem Solar Cells
Funding Opportunity: PVRD2
SETO Subprogram: Photovoltaics
Location: Stanford, CA
SETO Award Amount: $1,365,306
Awardee Cost Share: $192,235
Principal Investigator: Michael McGehee
This project is studying newly developed perovskite on silicon tandem modules to determine the best interconnection design and material properties for each module component. The perovskite material is being characterized and modified to produce a top cell with an ideal band gap and few structural and electronic defects. Modeling is helping to predict outdoor panel performance under realistic spectral variations, which affects how well the electrical current is balanced between the two types of cells.
Approach
The research team is developing modules that incorporate both monolithic two-terminal tandems and mechanically stacked tandems that have a higher energy yield compared to panels with single junction cells. Cell designs are able to be rapidly tested to determine their rate of degradation to allow for high stability. Test results are regularly presented at solar cell conferences and shared directly with solar cell manufacturers to receive feedback that will be used to guide the research.
Innovation
This project will develop tandem solar cells with silicon and perovskites capable of reaching efficiencies of 30 percent and higher and have lifetimes longer than 25 years. These modules will incorporate monolithic two-terminal tandems or mechanically stacked tandems, and show that the modules would have a higher energy yield compared to panels with single junction cells. By interacting with PV manufacturers, this project ensures the new solar module design has advantages over those currently under development by solar cell companies.