Breakthrough in Solar Technology Brings Next-Gen Cells Closer to Rooftops
Advancements in solar cell technology are paving the way for more efficient and affordable energy solutions, thanks to a significant breakthrough involving innovative designs and robust materials. A research team led by Adjunct Professor Anita Ho-Baillie from the University of Sydney announced their findings on Tuesday, highlighting improvements in both the performance and durability of solar cells.
This research has resulted in the most effective large-scale demonstration of a triple-junction solar cell that combines perovskite and silicon technologies. The announcement follows the Australian Energy Market Operator’s report that rooftop solar panels have emerged as the leading source of energy generation in the past financial year, with installations by households reaching unprecedented levels.
Innovative Triple-Junction Solar Cells
The study, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, focused on solar cells featuring three layers, commonly referred to as triple-junction cells. This technology incorporates two layers of perovskite, an affordable crystalline material, alongside one layer of silicon.
Researchers successfully developed a 16 square centimetre cell boasting an impressive energy conversion efficiency of 23.3 per cent, the highest recorded for this type, as well as a 1 square centimetre cell achieving an efficiency of 27 per cent. These advancements were made possible by altering the chemical compositions used within and around the cells, as explained by Professor Ho-Baillie.
Enhanced Performance and Durability
“We have enhanced both the efficiency and the resilience of these solar cells,” she stated. “This not only proves that large, stable perovskite devices can be created but also highlights the vast potential for further efficiency improvements.”
The team’s 1cm cell successfully passed the International Electrotechnical Commission’s thermal cycling test, enduring 200 cycles of extreme temperature fluctuations while maintaining efficiency for 407 hours. Although the technology is not yet ready for commercial deployment, Professor Ho-Baillie expressed optimism that these results would inspire confidence in future scalability.
“Perovskites are already demonstrating that we can exceed the efficiency limits of silicon alone,” she noted. “These developments indicate we are progressing towards more affordable and sustainable solar energy solutions that will contribute to a low-carbon future.”
This publication follows Professor Ho-Baillie’s recent accolade, the Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research, awarded for her contributions to solar cell technology. For this study, she collaborated with international partners from China, Germany, and Slovenia, receiving funding from various organisations, including the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Australia continues to lead the world in the adoption of rooftop solar technology, with the AEMO reporting that over four million roofs had solar panels installed by the end of June, generating more than 23 gigawatts of electricity.
