HZB reach 24.16% efficiency with perovskite-CIGS tandem

Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have reached solar conversion efficiency of 24.16% with a monolithic 'two-terminal' tandem cell, combining perovskite and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) layers.

The result has been officially certified by the CalLab of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE).

The scientists deposited the top perovskite layer directly on the rough CIGS cell. They applied self-assembled monolayer (SAM) molecules to the CIGS layer, forming a self-organised monomolecular layer. This improved the contact between the two layers of the tandem cell.

The thickness of the cell is less than 5 micrometres, which makes it suitable for flexible solar modules. "This combination is also extremely light weight and stable against irradiation, and could be suitable for applications in satellite technology in space," Steve Albrecht at HZB explains.

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