Durable Silicon Perovskite Tandem Photovoltaics
Summary
Silicon (Si)-perovskite tandem photovoltaics have shown huge potential in efficiency gains given the rapid increase in performance from 14% (uncertified) in 2015 to 29% (certified) in 2020, surpassing the efficiency record of single junction Si solar cells. While the market is willing to pay a premium for power generated by Si-perovskite tandem with higher efficiency, long lifetime is critical to guarantee the same or lower levelised-cost-of-energy for manufacturers to invest in tandem-cell technology.This project consists of four work packages: chemical analyses of perovskite and Si-perovskite test structures and cells by gas chromatography in conjunction with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify degradation products and thereby underlying degradation mechanisms spatial luminescence imaging and high-throughput in-situ temporal characterisation of both un-encapsulated and encapsulated perovskite and Si-perovskite test structures and cells to elucidate degradation pathways development of low cost glass-glass bonding encapsulations and electrical feedthroughs compatible with Si-perovskite tandem to eliminate degradation exploration of chemically- or phase-stable perovskite alternatives such as perovskite quantum dots (QD) for Si-perovskite tandem.This project aims to establish measurement protocols for: optical-bandgap, luminescent-intensity and absorptivity imaging of perovskites and Si-perovskite tandem cells at different stages of environmental stress.The project will also increase knowledge of cell degradation mechanisms by identifying:Finally, the project will establish research capability and capacity to maximise Si-perovskite-tandem durability by developing cell design and encapsulation strategies, such as development of polymer-free glass-glass bonding with hermetic electric feedthrough and the verification phase and optical stabilities of perovskite QD for Si-perovskite-tandem.This project is expected to create 3.25 full-time equivalent jobs over two years. At least one PhD student will be research trained.