Tandem Photovoltaic Devices

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Tandem solar cells, which combine multiple absorber layers optically in series, can greatly increase module efficiency beyond conventional single junction devices, which are approaching their theoretical limit. Tandems can either be made by combining two different bandgaps of a class of semiconductor absorber (e.g., III-V or perovskite materials that can be made with multiple bandgaps) or by combining dissimilar photovoltaic materials to create “hybrid tandems.” There are many ways to fabricate a tandem cell or module in terms of materials used, configuration, and terminal connection. While champion cells with areas less than or equal to 1 cm2 are routinely being demonstrated, it is significantly more challenging to translate these advances into modules. There are questions about module fabrication, testing, and reliability that are hard to answer without actually fabricating prototypes. National lab research plays a critical role in “bridging the gap” between university led low TRL efforts and commercialization by fabricating and testing prototypes with realistic configurations and test conditions. This project will primarily focus on hybrid tandems, using perovskite/Si as a platform, but also address other promising tandem approaches at an analysis and exploratory research level.