Nexwafe, CSEM Achieve Breakthrough Solar Cell Efficiency

• Nexwafe and CSEM's pioneering tandem solar cell hits 28.9% efficiency, revolutionizing solar tech with advanced EpiNex wafers for affordable, high-performance energy solutions!

Nexwafe, a German wafer manufacturer, has announced a significant breakthrough in solar technology in collaboration with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM). The partnership has developed a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell that achieved a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 28.9%.

The tandem perovskite 2-junction cells utilize NexWafe’s advanced EpiNex wafers, known for their exceptional nano-scale smoothness, positioning them as a promising platform for low-cost, solution-processed solar cells. Founded in 2015 as a spinoff from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Nexwafe is actively involved in several industry alliances focused on low-carbon solar technology.

How did Nexwafe and CSEM achieve a 28.9% efficiency in tandem solar cells?

Here are additional details on how Nexwafe and CSEM achieved a remarkable 28.9% efficiency in tandem solar cells:

• Innovative Design of Tandem Cells: Tandem solar cells combine different materials, specifically silicon and perovskite, to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight. This dual-layer setup allows for more efficient light absorption compared to traditional single-junction cells.
• Utilization of EpiNex Wafers: Nexwafe's EpiNex wafers, notable for their ultra-smooth surface at the nano-scale, provide an optimal foundation for the perovskite layer to grow. This smoothness minimizes defects and enhances layer quality, leading to improved performance.
• Advanced Deposition Techniques: CSEM applied cutting-edge deposition methods to coat the perovskite onto the silicon wafer. This process is vital for maintaining layer integrity and achieving the necessary junction characteristics for effective charge separation.
• Layer Optimization: The researchers conducted extensive experiments to optimize the thickness and composition of both the perovskite and silicon layers, ensuring maximum light absorption and conversion efficiency while minimizing energy losses.
• Enhanced Charge Carrier Dynamics: The tandem design significantly improves charge carrier dynamics, allowing electrons and holes to efficiently generate and flow without effective recombination losses, a common issue in traditional solar cells.
• Utilizing Cost-Effective Materials: The partnership focused on using cheaper, abundant materials in the tandem structure. This approach not only reduces production costs but also enhances scalability, making the technology more accessible for broader applications.
• Rigorous Testing and Validation: Both Nexwafe and CSEM performed rigorous testing of their tandem cells under various conditions, ensuring reliability and consistency in output performance. This reliability is critical for both commercial deployment and consumer confidence.
• Research and Development Collaboration: The collaboration between Nexwafe and CSEM combined their respective strengths in materials science and engineering, fostering innovative solutions in the competitive field of solar energy technology.
• Long-Term Stability Studies: A focus on the long-term stability of the perovskite layer is essential. By conducting accelerated aging tests, Nexwafe and CSEM analyzed how the cells would perform over time, addressing concerns about perovskite degradation.
• Industry Partnerships and Alliances: Nexwafe's involvement in various industry alliances aimed at low-carbon technologies aids in sharing knowledge and resources, further catalyzing breakthroughs in solar technology.
• Pathways for Mass Production: The successful integration of these technologies could potentially transform manufacturing processes, paving the way for mass production of high-efficiency tandem solar cells at lower costs.
• Impact on Renewable Energy Landscape: Achieving such high efficiency in solar cells may have implications for energy policy and the transition to renewable energy, contributing significantly to global decarbonization efforts and sustainability goals.