Ultralight, flexible solar cells set new efficiency record at 23.64%

The Korea Institute of Power Analysis has efficiently developed ultra-lightweight versatile perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cells and achieved an influence conversion effectivity of 23.64%, which is the world’s highest effectivity of the versatile perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cells reported so far. The photo voltaic cells developed by the analysis workforce are extraordinarily light-weight and may be connected to curved surfaces, making them a promising candidate for future functions in buildings, autos, plane, and extra.

Crystalline silicon-based single-junction photo voltaic cells are predominantly utilized in solar power generation on account of their low manufacturing value and suitability for mass manufacturing. Nevertheless, because the effectivity of single-junction photo voltaic cells approaches their theoretical restrict, tandem photo voltaic cells—which mix silicon with perovskite solar cells to reinforce effectivity—are gaining growing consideration.

Presently, perovskite/silicon tandem photo voltaic cells have achieved efficiencies as excessive as 34.6%. Nevertheless, their heavy weight and susceptibility to bodily harm restrict their software in fields the place lightness and flexibility are essential, comparable to in vehicles, plane, and satellites.

To beat these limitations, versatile thin-film perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cells are being developed. CIGS-based thin-film photo voltaic cells are extraordinarily light-weight and versatile, making them well-suited to be used on curved surfaces comparable to buildings, autos, and plane. Nevertheless, their decrease effectivity and higher manufacturing complexity in comparison with perovskite/silicon tandem photo voltaic cells have posed obstacles to commercialization.

To boost the manufacturability, flexibility, and lightness of tandem photo voltaic cells, the KIER analysis workforce developed a easy lift-off course of and recognized the underlying mechanisms behind the efficiency enchancment. Consequently, the fabricated perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cell achieved an influence conversion effectivity of 23.64%, representing the very best recorded effectivity amongst versatile perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cells reported so far. The findings are published within the journal Joule.

The lift-off course of developed by the analysis workforce includes coating a polyimide layer onto a glass substratefabricating the perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cell on prime of it, after which separating it from the glass. In contrast to standard strategies that use versatile polyimide movie straight because the substrate, this strategy makes use of inflexible glass as a supporting base, permitting for extra steady fabrication of the photo voltaic cells. The usage of a flat, inflexible glass substrate additionally ensures uniform layer deposition, resulting in improved gadget efficiency and better reproducibility.

The analysis workforce additionally recognized a technique to reinforce efficiency by decreasing defects within the photo voltaic cell. In the course of the fabrication course of, alkali steel components comparable to potassium diffuse from the glass substrate into the CIGS light-absorbing layer. Extreme diffusion of potassium can create defects throughout the absorber layer that hinder cost transport, in the end degrading the efficiency of the photo voltaic cells. Nevertheless, till now, no know-how has been reported that successfully suppresses the diffusion of potassium to an optimum stage.

Utilizing computational sciencethe analysis workforce predicted that the polyimide layer coated on the glass substrate may suppress potassium diffusion. When utilized to the photo voltaic cell fabrication course of, this strategy successfully decreased defects within the CIGS light-absorbing layer. Consequently, the fabricated gadget achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.64%, considerably exceeding the earlier report of 18.1% for versatile perovskite/CIGS tandem photo voltaic cells.

As well as, to confirm the sturdiness of the fabricated CIGS photo voltaic cells, the analysis workforce measured the mechanical properties of the supplies and analyzed the stress utilized throughout bending by way of simulations. After conducting 100,000 bending cycles, the photo voltaic cells maintained 97.7% of their preliminary effectivity, demonstrating wonderful sturdiness.

Dr. Inyoung Jeong, who led the research, acknowledged, “This research is a key achievement that demonstrates the commercial potential of next-generation high-efficiency solar cell technology with flexibility and lightness. It serves as an important milestone toward realizing ultralight, flexible solar cells with 30% efficiency in the future.”

Dr. Kihwan Kim, principal investigator of the research, acknowledged, “The power-to-weight ratio of the fabricated solar cell is approximately 10 times higher than that of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cellsmaking it highly promising for applications in fields that require ultralight solar modules, such as building exteriors, vehicles, and aerospace.”

He added, “By advancing large-area fabrication processes and improving stability, we aim to strengthen the competitiveness of related industries and significantly contribute to the expansion of renewable energy adoption.”