Breakthrough: 16.94% Efficient Four-Terminal Tandem Solar Cell

• Breakthrough tandem organic solar cell achieves record efficiency with innovative transparent silver electrode, paving the way for sustainable energy conversion processes.

Researchers at ICFO have developed a new four-terminal tandem organic solar cell with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency, surpassing previous records. This configuration features separate electrical connections for the front and back cells, eliminating the need for current balancing between the two subcells. The key to this achievement was the fabrication of an ultrathin transparent silver electrode, which optimized the performance of the tandem solar cell.

The researchers selected specific organic blends for the front and back cells, designed the final structure using a numerical approach, and meticulously controlled the fabrication process. The ultra-thin transparent silver electrode, only 7nm thick, played a crucial role in ensuring efficient light transmission to power the back cell. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications such as photoelectrochemical cells and solar fuels, offering potential for sustainable energy conversion processes.

How did researchers at ICFO achieve record-breaking efficiency in tandem organic solar cells?

• Researchers at ICFO achieved record-breaking efficiency in tandem organic solar cells by developing a new four-terminal configuration with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency.
• This configuration features separate electrical connections for the front and back cells, eliminating the need for current balancing between the two subcells.
• The key to this achievement was the fabrication of an ultrathin transparent silver electrode, only 7nm thick, which optimized the performance of the tandem solar cell.
• The researchers selected specific organic blends for the front and back cells, designed the final structure using a numerical approach, and meticulously controlled the fabrication process.
• The ultra-thin transparent silver electrode played a crucial role in ensuring efficient light transmission to power the back cell, contributing to the overall high efficiency of the tandem solar cell.
• This breakthrough has significant implications for applications such as photoelectrochemical cells and solar fuels, offering potential for sustainable energy conversion processes.