Perovskite–silicon tandem panels reach 25% efficiency in commercial launch

Perovskite can be seen as one of the most innovative and efficient materials that man has ever made. A recent commercial launch by Oxford PV, a spin-off of the University of Oxford, saw a new silicon tandem panel reaching groundbreaking levels of efficiency. Regular silicon solar cells rarely exceed the low-20s percentage, but this new tandem panel has reached an incredible 25% efficiency. The advancements being made in the solar energy sector have catapulted the solar industry right into the faces of the climate-conscious consumer. This new development coming out of Oxford is truly groundbreaking.

The new Perovskite is a crucial milestone in the clean energy transition

For the past decade, the world has slowly begun to accept that the reliance on fossil fuels was not going to last for much longer, and more needed to be done to accelerate the energy transition from the coal and gas sector towards the insatiable power that renewable energy provides. And the best and most practical form of renewable power has got to be solar power. It has been with us for at least the last thirty years.

The new tandem solar panel was developed in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and achieved a record 25% conversion efficiency. Solar energy accounts for a sizeable three-quarters of renewable capacity additions worldwide, and has been on an innovative upward trajectory since the technology was first developed way back in the 50s.

“Our record-breaking solar panels demonstrate that we are on the cusp of the next solar revolution, which will be delivered, in part, by our tandem cell technology. Solar energy is currently among the most cost-effective and sustainable energy sources. Our continuous advancements in technology will further enhance module efficiency – producing more electricity from the same area – and extending their use to all market sectors from residential, commercial through to utility scale.” – Chris Case, Chief Technology Officer, Oxford PV

Perovskites are a revolutionary man-made material that has incredible levels of efficiency

The problem with solar panels up until now has been being able to develop a material that is able to absorb more light in the spectrum than what is currently available to the existing panels that we have seen. That’s where Perovskites are different. They are a thin-film material that is capable of absorbing much more light in the spectrum, increasing performance and delivering record-breaking levels of efficiency.

“This new world record is a crucial milestone for Oxford PV, proving that our tandem solar cells can deliver record-breaking performance when assembled into solar panels. It is the first step in what will be a transformative 2024, as we begin to deliver market-ready panels from our factory in Germany and continue our global search for a new high volume manufacturing site which will enable us to bring our technology into the mainstream.” – David Ward, Chief Executive Officer, Oxford PV

The advancements in the solar panel sector have been a cooperative effort that is not limited to one singular country. China has made significant developments in the sector and has shown what it can do in the pursuit of carbon neutrality.

The innovation taking place in the renewable energy sector is astonishing

As the energy sector grows, thanks in no small part to the Trump administration’s new approach to circumventing environmental regulations, the innovations taking place are stunning. Every day, we are presented with new and astonishing technologies that propel the world toward renewable energy and away from the harmful fossil fuels that we have relied on for generations. And look where that got us. A planet on the verge of a climate catastrophe, and a group of leaders more concerned with scoring points with their base instead of concentrating on what is best for the state of the Earth.