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Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin

Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin has reported strong initial results from its first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space, where perovskite-silicon and thin-film cells on an OOV-Cube satellite are showing resilience to high radiation levels and possible “self-healing” from radiation damage.

Improving perovskite solar cell performance with phenethyl ammonium chloride

An international research team developed a perovskite solar cell performance-boosting treatment based on phenethyl ammonium chloride (PEACl) that is also claimed to reduce the number of process steps. With this technique, the group built a champion device with a 20.9% efficiency.

Perovskite thin film: Out with the old, in with the new

Silicon-perovskite tandem solar requires optimization of both approaches, and embodies the weaknesses of each. Meanwhile, the use of pure thin-film devices offers a cheaper, simpler, and more sustainable PV solution for the United States.

Weekend Read: The fruitful search for other thin films

First Solar and its cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology dominate thin-film solar in the mainstream market. Valerie Thompson looks at the US-based business and the future of thin-film PV technology.

Weekend Read: Industry and researchers in tandem

As efficiency records tumble and devices become more stable, Europe is seeing the beginnings of a race to commercialize high-efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem solar products, reports Valerie Thompson.

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Scratching the surface of silicon in tandem solar cells

German scientists have investigated the role of surface texturing in perovskite-silicon tandem cells and have found that several new processes offer the ability to etch smaller, more uniform textures onto the surface of a silicon cell than today’s industry standard. This could help to ease the subsequent growth of a perovskite cell on top of the silicon, enabling researchers and manufacturers to target higher performance.

Researchers achieved world record 32.5% efficiency for a perovskite tandem solar cell

A group of researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) has achieved a new world efficiency record for a silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell, with a certified efficiency of 32.5%.

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Latest advances in sodium-ion battery research

Qingdao University researchers have synthesized high-performance titanium dioxide-based anode materials with excellent cycling stability, while German scientists have used operando techniques to observe how solvated sodium ions embed themselves in electrodes.

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Environmental impacts of perovskite PV

A life-cycle analysis of perovskite-silicon tandem modules indicates that additional environmental impacts in manufacturing are more than offset by the higher energy yield over their lifetime.

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Bringing the noise for better solar cell efficiency

An international team of scientists developed a technique to isolate individual sources of electrical ‘noise’ within a solar cell. Comparing the technique to being able to pick out a single voice within a 200-person choir, they say the technique will help to improve understanding of where efficiency losses occur within a cell, and effective ways to mitigate them.

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