Tandem technology for higher PV performance

Thema:
Tandem solar devices

Combining different solar cells in a PV module enables a conversion efficiency above 40%. If one solar cell is optimised for short wavelength photons, and the other for long wavelength photons, the two solar cells together will extract more electrical energy. We’re researching and developing these tandem applications.

The importance of higher PV performance

Higher PV performance helps reduce the total costs of generating electricity. And it means that we need less surface area for solar power. Both elements contribute towards the transition to the large-scale use of renewable energy.

How does tandem PV work?

A tandem solar panel consists of 2 solar cells on top of each other. In this case the top cell is made of perovskite. This cell converts part of the solar spectrum into electricity and transmits the infrared light to the bottom silicon solar cell. The silicon bottom cell is of the bifacial type, which means that it also converts the diffuse light that falls on the rear side of the panel to electricity.

Bifacial Tandem Devices
Bifacial Tandem Devices

There are 2 types of configuration. In the 4-terminal configuration, the 2 stacked solar cells deliver solar power separately. In the 2-terminal configuration, the 2 cells are electrically stacked, like the batteries in a torch. These are the two main configurations for tandem PV modules; they’re suitable for different applications and provide different manufacturing opportunities.

Higher PV performance of interest to the market

The international technology roadmap for photovoltaics (ITRPV) foresees that tandem PV with crystalline silicon (c-Si) will make rapid progress towards industrial implementation, and will have obtained a significant market share by 2025. The technology is very suitable for the Netherlands because of the limited available area for ground PV installation and the importance of rooftop PV.

Technologies using tandem PV

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite thin-film solar cells are a very suitable candidate technology for pairing with c-Si to construct the tandem. Within the Solliance collaborative partnership, we’re executing an industrial research programme on perovskite PV technology. Together with academic and industrial partners, we’re working on combining perovskite thin-film solar cells with c-Si solar cells.

So far, an efficiency gain of 5 percentage points over typical industrial c-Si cells has been achieved. In addition, a power density of over 3300W/m2 has been demonstrated with bifacial PV tandem cells. We began scaled-up tandem module field tests in 2018. We’re also conducting research into fully thin-film-based PV tandem technologies, such as perovskite combined with CIGS or a perovskite-perovskite tandem.

Only5mins! - Gianluca Coletti, TNO

Pushing the boundaries of tandem perovskite-silicon solar

pv magazine speaks to Gianluca Coletti, Program Manager Tandem Photovoltaic Technology and Applications at Dutch research institute TNO, about the first attempts to bring the tandem perovskite-silicon solar cell technology to the market. According to him, the first PV products based on this highly efficient technology may make an appearance sooner than expected.

Our strength as a partner

Based on our know-how spanning the entire production chain from silicon wafers to the solar cell and PV system, we can provide support on topics such as:

  • Adaptation of c-Si cell and module technology to suit tandem application. Examples are specific applications of polySi passivated contact cell technology that we have developed (also known as industrial TOPCon), and back contact cell and module technologies.
  • Development of high-efficiency, thin-film perovskite solar cells to be applied as top solar cell in a tandem with a broad selection of transparent, thin layers for electrical conductivity.
  • Scale-up of the manufacturing processes of perovskite solar cells and materials for industrial production within our research programme partnership, demonstration projects, and feasibility studies.
  • Integration of thin-film solar cells, particularly the perovskite solar cell, into tandem panels. Examples are developing and applying materials suitable to protect the perovskite solar cells, and designing and configuring the electrical interconnection of the cells and the Bill of Materials (BoM).
  • Integral tandem device design, including characterisation, modelling, and optimisation. For example, optical analysis and optimisation for achieving the highest possible yields.
  • Accelerated degradation testing, including analysis of and solutions for extending the stability of these solar panels. Perovskite solar cells require interconnection and encapsulation methods different from current, standard solar panels. Creating stable long-lifetime tandem modules is an important objective of our research programme.
  • Monitoring the performance of the tandem panels by collecting reliable data from field tests, to gain insight into the energy yield.

Want to know more about tandem technology?

Watch the webinar ‘Innovation in solar energy technology’.

Our latest developments

12 resultaten, getoond 1 t/m 5

Dutch-German consortium develops simplified tandem solar modules for European market

Informatietype:
News
14 March 2023

In cooperation with Dutch and German industrial partners, TNO is advancing a tandem solar module suitable for early market introduction. This application can reach higher efficiencies than those achieved by current silicon-based solar modules, which results in more power per square meter and lower cost per kWh.

Angèle Reinders new director Solliance

Informatietype:
News
1 February 2023

Angèle Reinders, professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), has been appointed Solliance's new director. Reinders will lead the new broad focus of the Dutch/Flemish/German solar energy partnership.

Four terminal perovskite-silicon PV tandem devices hit 30% efficiency

Informatietype:
News
26 September 2022

TNO, TU Eindhoven, imec and TU Delft, partners in Solliance, joined forces to further push the conversion efficiency of tandem solar cells to beyond the limits of today’s commercial photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Putting Europe back in the lead in solar panel production

Informatietype:
Article

Most solar panels come from China. Time to bring the solar panel production back to Europe. With smart solutions from TNO.

Solar energy

Informatietype:
Article

The Solar energy expertise group develops technology for solar panels, including bifacial solar modules and silicon solar cell technology.