Perovskite solar module reaches 12.4% efficiency

Technology News | April 11, 2017

By Rich Pell

The module efficiency was measured under long-term maximum power point (MPP) tracking, testifying to its exceptional stability. The development is part of the European Solliance solar technology programme developing industrially-applicable processes with a view to rapid market introduction.

Perovskite microcrystals can be processed into thin, light-weight, semitransparent modules that could eventually be integrated in building materials such as windows or curved construction elements. Imec and Solliance focus on using scalable, industrial processes towards the fabrication of large-area modules, eventually suitable for seamless integration in customized PV systems.

The modules were made at imec using an advanced recipe for the active layer and a process that achieves a very high aperture area efficiency in combination with a high operational device stability. In the current design, eight cells are connected in series by using a low area loss interconnection technology based on laser and mechanical patterning.

Due to this optimization, about 90% of the designated illumination area of 16cm² is contributing to the energy generation. The device stability and performance is represented by the 12.4% power conversion efficiency under more than ten minutes maximum power point tracking as certified by Fraunhofer ISE.

“This breakthrough achievement confirms that we are able to steadily improve the conversion efficiency of perovskite solar modules,” said Tom Aernouts, Solliance program manager and group leader for thin-film photovoltaics at imec.

“In a few years we have made rapid progress not only on conversion efficiencies for single cells but are now also consolidating this at module level for this type of thin-film photovoltaics. Looking ahead, within Solliance we’ve set an aggressive roadmap for larger-area low cost processing and long-term stability that will advance this technology beyond the lab.”

Solliance’s researchers work with industrial partners Solartek in Russia, Dyesol in Australia and Panasonicin Japan. “Solartek is excited with this breakthrough; we are going to continue our fruitful collaboration with Solliance, supplying imec and other research teams with samples of high tech materials, such a CNT inks, to reduce the cost of production of perovskite modules on large scale processing by replacing most expensive materials, like gold,” said Denis Kovalevich, Chair of Solartek.

www.imec-int.com.