Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) have achieved a 30.02% efficiency rating in a triple-junction solar cell, surpassing the previous certified record of 27.1% for similar configurations, according to a statement released today.
The breakthrough, announced on March 20, 2026, centers on a novel design integrating two thin-film perovskite layers with a silicon bottom cell. The team focused on improving voltage output in the top cell and enhancing current generation in the middle cell, utilizing defect-reducing molecules, a novel fabrication method, and nanoparticle-based light reflection techniques.
The research builds on previous function supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) on laser beam shaping, a technology initially developed for off-Earth manufacturing and construction. “ESA funding helped us demonstrate a new way of assembling ‘non-weldable’ metallic materials, by combining powders with foils,” explained Professor Roland Logé, the technical lead for the project. “In doing so, we restrict the volume over which brittle phases form, and reduce the magnitude of stresses. This significantly reduces the risk of cracking.”
Even as the initial focus was on overcoming challenges in 3D printing complex metal parts – specifically, the cracking that occurs when materials with differing properties are melted together – the team’s approach has broader implications for photovoltaic technology. The design aims to approach the performance levels of III–V multi-junction cells currently used in space applications, offering a pathway toward scalable, lower-cost, high-efficiency solar energy production.
Martina Meisnar, a Materials and Processes Engineer and ESA lead for the project, noted the potential for improved microstructures and mechanical properties at interfaces. “Improved cooling paths and beam shaping technologies are expected to lead to significant advantages,” she said.
Future work will concentrate on developing a reliable digital twin of the hybrid powder-foil process, combining experimental investigations with thermal camera analysis. This will involve a comprehensive set of experiments to enable accurate numerical predictions, given the process’s sensitivity to geometry and heat dissipation.
The project originated as an idea submitted through ESA’s Open Space Innovation Platform and was funded as a co-sponsored research project by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities. The ESA calendar lists no further meetings related to this project currently scheduled.
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