Breakthrough in Flexible Solar Cell Efficiency and Durability

Although efficiencies of up to 33.9% have been achieved with perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, flexible versions have not come close to these values. In a recent study, however, the first flexible perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell achieved an efficiency of 22.8%. Researchers achieved this success with an ultra-thin silicon-based flexible perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell, approximately 30 µm thick. The scientists significantly increased the flexibility of the silicon substrate of the solar cell without reducing light absorption. Additionally, by coating the perovskite top cells, they enhanced the mechanical durability of the device, thus addressing concerns related to fractures on the silicon surface.

Moreover, the device boasts an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio of 3.12 W g-1, promising high performance in a lightweight package. These flexible tandems are also highly resilient to bending. They retain 98.2% of their initial performance even after 3,000 bending cycles with a radius of just 1 cm, expanding the potential applications for flexible solar panels.