**Tandem Technology Breaks Solar Efficiency Record, Unveiling Its Enormous Potential**
Oxford PV, a British solar developer, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in solar efficiency. The company announced on Wednesday that it has set a new world record with its perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells, achieving an impressive 25% conversion efficiency. This surpasses the more common 24% efficiency seen in commercial modules.
The record-breaking solar panel was developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. The glass-glass solar PV module, produced by a research team from Fraunhofer ISE, utilizes perovskite silicon tandem solar cells from Oxford PV. Not only does it achieve a conversion efficiency of 25%, but it also boasts an output of 421 watts on an area measuring 1.68 square meters.
Fraunhofer ISE describes the resulting module as “the world’s most efficient silicon perovskite tandem solar module in industrial format.” This achievement marks a significant advancement in the PV industry, as it surpasses the efficiency of any silicon PV module ever built in industrial format.
Oxford PV, a spin-out of the University of Oxford, has been at the forefront of perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cell development since its establishment in 2010. These tandem solar cells have a theoretical maximum efficiency of over 43%, compared to less than 30% for traditional silicon solar cells.
Chris Case, the chief technology officer at Oxford PV, expressed excitement about the breakthrough, stating, “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.”
The coming year holds great significance for Oxford PV as the company plans to scale up its manufacturing capacity and progress with the construction of a new factory to produce its tandem solar cells in high volumes. This achievement serves as a crucial milestone for Oxford PV, paving the way for the delivery of market-ready panels and the integration of their technology into the mainstream.
With this remarkable achievement, Oxford PV has showcased the enormous potential of tandem technology for the PV industry. The future of solar energy looks brighter than ever as advancements in efficiency continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.
By Joshua S Hill
