New Tandem Solar Cells Achieve Record 33.1% Efficiency
current solar panels typically convert between 15 and 22 percent of sunlight into electricity. Though, silicon, a key component in these panels, is approaching its theoretical efficiency limit. Researchers are exploring alternative materials to boost energy capture, and recent laboratory results are highly promising.
Perovskite-based solar panels have shown potential, achieving up to 30 percent efficiency in experimental settings. Currently, perovskite panels face challenges including a shorter lifespan and sensitivity to moisture and heat.
now, a team of researchers in Germany has combined the strengths of both silicon and perovskite in a new “tandem” solar cell design. This cell features a perovskite top layer designed to capture blue and green light, layered above a silicon bottom layer that absorbs red and infrared light. This combination has resulted in a record-breaking efficiency of 33.1 percent, as detailed in a study published in the journal Science (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adx1745).
A meaningful hurdle in developing this technology was the incompatibility between perovskite’s need for a smooth surface and the rough texture of most commercially produced silicon solar panels – designed to maximize light capture. Existing tandem cells largely relied on smooth silicon, hindering mass production potential.
To overcome this, the researchers treated the panels with a molecule called 1,3 diaminopropan dihydroiodide. This substance improves electron flow within the perovskite layer, reducing energy loss. Crucially, this treatment permeates the entire perovskite layer, unlike surface treatments used with silicon, resulting in a more efficient cell (https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en/press-media/press-releases/2025/international-research-team-unlocks-the-power-of-passivation-for-perovskite-silicon-tandem-solar-cells.html).
Because the technology is compatible with the raw silicon already used in existing factories, adjustments to current production lines are feasible. While large-scale testing is ongoing,the initial results suggest a significant step towards the mass production of highly efficient solar panels.
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