Doubling  efficiency of  standard solar panels

Researchers from Lahore University and Benha University initiated doubling the efficiency of today’s standard solar panels. These experts say their combination of materials can reach up to the high 20% range in the standard single side format. From there, they would add a second layer of that solar cell and put in it in a glass on glass solar module. This unique module increases the solar cell’s total electricity output by 10-30%, which equates to between 30-36% efficiency.
 

Studies and answers

This research is found in a paper is titled High-Performance Bifacial Perovskite/Silicon Double-Tandem Solar Cell. In the article, the researchers present a 3-T, four-junction perovskite/silicon double-tandem (PSDT) solar cell structure can product  light in all ranges of albedo. This takes place by stacking two tandem perovskite/silicon cells in a flipped arrangement with a middle terminal.  The top solar cell layers absorb most of the sunlight displaying an efficiency of 27.7%, with perovskite and silicon subcells coming at 16.5% and 11.2% efficiencies. The bottom solar cell mostly absorbs the albedo, providing efficiency of 5.4% at 30% reflection, with perovskite and silicon subcells having 3.2% and 2.2% efficiencies. At the 30% albedo, the solar module totals 33.1% efficiency.

As the solar panel moves above an albedo of 30% and moves toward that of a white rubber EPDM roof, the cell gets saturated with photons and maxes out. Further tune ups provide additional gains in efficiency under the solar cell that increases the solar panel toward 36% efficiency. Each layer is selected to complement the bandgap of the other layers. This method optimizes absorption of photons as they move through the solar cell. The layers of perovskite and silicon are flipped on the bifacial side to capture the reflected light. 
 

Concept proposes a solution at 36%

The silicon layer is a heterojunction crystalline silicon-amorphous silicon layer, similar to what Solartech Universal builds using Meyer Burger technology. So we’re adding two layers of more material atop a crystalline silicon solar cell.

One of the factors this innovation is following the crystalline silicon solar cell route is that manufacturers have invested in developing over 100 GW/year of factory size. If an additional equipment of two can be added to current lines we can dramatically gain efficiencies. Also, adding a second method called bifacial can be advantageous due to the  single axis trackers that optimizes bifacial technology.  Arizona State University’s Fulton Schools of Engineering notes that a 32% perovskite-silicon tandem cell is economically competitive. This new concept proposes a solution at 36% that has more hardware cost from the tandem cell.

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