World record for tandem perovskite-CIGS solar cell

The Pero-CIGS tandem cell achieves a record efficiency of 23.26 percent.

The Pero-CIGS tandem cell achieves a record efficiency of 23.26 percent. © HZB

The electron microscopy image shows an AZO layer (reddish colored) between the perovskite and the CIGS semiconductor. On top of AZO is the self assembled monomolecular layer (SAM).

The electron microscopy image shows an AZO layer (reddish colored) between the perovskite and the CIGS semiconductor. On top of AZO is the self assembled monomolecular layer (SAM). © HZB

Most of the work was done in the Helmholtz Innovation Lab HySPRINT at HZB.

Most of the work was done in the Helmholtz Innovation Lab HySPRINT at HZB. © Swantje Furtak

A team headed by Prof. Steve Albrecht from the HZB will present a new world-record tandem solar cell at EU PVSEC, the world's largest international photovoltaic and solar energy conference and exhibition, in Marseille, France on September 11, 2019. This tandem solar cell combines the semiconducting materials perovskite and CIGS and achieves a certified efficiency of 23.26 per cent. One reason for this success lies in the cell’s intermediate layer of organic molecules: they self-organise to cover even rough semiconductor surfaces. Two patents have been filed for these layers.

Perovskite-based solar cells have experienced an incredibly rapid increase in efficiency over the last ten years. The combination of perovskites with classical semiconductor materials such as silicon and copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) compounds in tandem solar cells promises low-cost, high-performance solar modules for the future. However, losses at the electrodes between the two semiconductors considerably reduce the efficiency.

Record efficiency: 23,26 per cent

HZB physicist Prof. Steve Albrecht and his team now successfully established novel electrode coatings that greatly reduce these losses. They could produce a monolithic tandem solar cell from perovskite and CIGS that achieved an officially certified  efficiency of 23.26 per cent, which currently is a world record value.  The tandem cell has an active area of one square centimetre and thus reaches another milestone, as perovskite CIGS tandem cells have so far been significantly smaller.

Self assembled monolayer

The contact layers consist of carbazole-based organic molecules coupled to phosphonic acid groups. These molecules arrange themselves into what are known as self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). These SAMs have highly favourable electro-optical properties and the self-assembly even leads to complete coverage of rough semiconductor surfaces.

Two patents filed

“The SAMs are strikingly simple and robust. This also allows them to be scaled up to industrial levels. In addition, they are compatible to a wide variety of substrates and their material consumption is extremely low”, explains Amran Al-Ashouri, PhD student in the Albrecht group and first author of the study. This work might further accelerate progress towards extremely inexpensive perovskite-based PV technologies. The group has now filed two patents and is currently in licensing negotiations.

Prof. Steve Albrecht heads the Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells Junior Research Group funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Work on the perovskite solar cells took place primarily in the Helmholtz HySPRINT Innovation Lab, while the SAMs were developed in close collaboration with Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), where the group of Prof. Vytautas Getautis synthesized the molecules. The CIGS layers are provided by the group of Dr. Christian Kaufmann, who heads the high efficiency CIGS activities at HZB and is supported by the SpeedCIGS project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).

Presentation on Wednesday, at EU PVSEC

Albrecht will present this work next Wednesday, September 11th, in Marseille at a plenary lecture of EU PVSEC, the world’s largest international photovoltaic and solar energy conference and exhibition.

Title of the talk: “Towards Highly Efficient Monolithic Tandem Devices with Perovskite Top Cells” S. Albrecht, A. Al-Ashouri, E. Köhnen, M. Jost, A. Morales, T. Bertram, L. Korte, B. Stannowski, C. Kaufmann, R. Schlatmann

Location: EU PVSEC, Marseille, France 9-13 September 2019

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2019 PLENARY SESSION 3CP.1 from 10:30 - 12:00 Perovskite, Organic, CIGS and III-V Multi-Junction Devices

 

arö

  • Copy link

You might also be interested in

  • Leading Sasol scientist appointed as Industrial Research Fellow at HZB
    News
    11.02.2025
    Leading Sasol scientist appointed as Industrial Research Fellow at HZB
    Within the CARE-O-SENE project, HZB is cooperating with the South African company Sasol on innovative catalysts for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Now, the collaboration is intensifying: Dr. Denzil Moodley, a leading scientist in the field of Fischer-Tropsch at Sasol Research and Technology, is being appointed as Industrial Research Fellow at HZB. Moodley will contribute his expertise at HZB with the aim of accelerating the innovation cycle for sustainable fuel technologies.
  • BIPV sessions at Inolope Expo 2025
    News
    06.02.2025
    BIPV sessions at Inolope Expo 2025
    Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and BAIP - Consulting Office for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics partner with Inolope Expo 2025 - the buisness platform for innovative building envelopes.

    Visit us at booth 7.F02 to explore the present an the future of building-integrated photovoltaics. Learn how to create stunning, sustainable designs with solar architecture.

  • HZB Sets New World Record for CIGS Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells
    News
    04.02.2025
    HZB Sets New World Record for CIGS Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells
    Combining two semiconductor thin films into a tandem solar cell can achieve high efficiencies with a minimal environmental footprint. Teams from HZB and Humboldt University Berlin have now presented a CIGS-perovskite tandem cell that sets a new world record with an efficiency of 24.6%, certified by the independent Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.