Breakthrough: Cost-Effective 4T Perovskite-Silicon Solar Cell

• Innovative 4T perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells promise 41% efficiency boost, cutting production energy by 35% with cost-effective, solution-based fabrication.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, and AcSIR have developed a cost-effective, solution-based fabrication method for a four-terminal (4T) perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell. This innovative design integrates a high-performance semi-transparent perovskite cell (ST-PSC) with a hybrid heterojunction silicon solar cell (HHSC) as the bottom device. The HHSCs, known for their simple structure and low-temperature fabrication, aim to reduce energy consumption by up to 35% during production, leveraging carrier-selective functional layers like PEDOT:PSS for improved efficiency.

The research team selected PEDOT:PSS for its low cost and ease of preparation, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 10.92% and a fill factor of 66.04%. The textured n-type silicon absorber enhances junction quality by reducing surface reflectance and increasing the junction area. The top perovskite device features a transparent FTO substrate and various functional layers, resulting in a 4T tandem efficiency of 15.41%, a 41% improvement over standalone HHSCs. These advancements, confirmed by SCAPS-1D simulation, pave the way for next-generation, solution-processable 4T tandem solar cells.

How does the new 4T perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell improve efficiency and reduce costs?

Certainly! Here are some additional points on how the new 4T perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell improves efficiency and reduces costs:

• Enhanced Light Absorption: The integration of a semi-transparent perovskite cell with a silicon solar cell allows for better utilization of the solar spectrum. The perovskite layer absorbs high-energy photons, while the silicon layer captures lower-energy photons, maximizing the overall light absorption and conversion efficiency.
• Reduced Material Costs: Perovskite materials are generally less expensive than traditional silicon, and the solution-based fabrication method further reduces production costs by minimizing the need for high-temperature processing and expensive vacuum-based deposition techniques.
• Improved Energy Yield: By combining two types of solar cells, the tandem structure can achieve higher energy yields compared to single-junction cells. This is particularly beneficial in varying light conditions, where the tandem cell can maintain higher efficiency.
• Lower Manufacturing Energy Consumption: The use of low-temperature processes and simple structures in the hybrid heterojunction silicon solar cell (HHSC) reduces the energy required for manufacturing, contributing to a lower carbon footprint and making the technology more sustainable.
• Scalability and Flexibility: The solution-based fabrication method is compatible with large-scale production and can be adapted to flexible substrates, opening up new applications for solar technology in areas like building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and portable solar devices.
• Increased Stability and Durability: The tandem design can potentially enhance the stability and lifespan of the solar cells by distributing the thermal and electrical load more evenly across the layers, reducing the degradation rate of the materials.
• Potential for Further Efficiency Gains: The modular nature of the 4T tandem design allows for ongoing improvements in each layer's materials and processes, offering a pathway to even higher efficiencies as new perovskite compositions and silicon technologies are developed.

These advancements highlight the potential of 4T perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells to revolutionize the solar industry by offering a more efficient and cost-effective solution for renewable energy generation.