Imec, a research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics, energy and digital technologies, and partner in Solliance (a cross-border Dutch-German-Flemish thin-film photovoltaics research initiative) has improved its 4x4cm² perovskite module achieving a certified conversion efficiency of 12.4 percent. This is amongst the highest for this size of perovskite modules.
The perovskite modules were made at Imec using an advanced recipe for the active layer and a process that achieves a high aperture area efficiency in combination with a high operational device stability. In the current design, eight cells are connected in series by using a low area loss interconnection technology based on laser and mechanical patterning. Due to this optimisation, about 90 percent of the designated illumination area of 16cm2 is contributing to the energy generation.
The device stability and performance is represented by the 12.4 percent power conversion efficiency under more than ten minutes maximum power point tracking as certified by Fraunhofer ISE.
“This breakthrough achievement confirms that we are able to steadily improve the conversion efficiency of perovskite solar modules,” commented Tom Aernouts, Solliance program manager and group leader for thin-film photovoltaics at Imec. “In a few years time, we have made rapid progress not only on conversion efficiencies for single cells but are now also consolidating this at module level for this type of thin-film photovoltaics. Looking ahead, within Solliance we’ve set an aggressive roadmap for larger-area low cost processing and long-term stability that will advance this technology beyond the lab.”
Imec develops its industrial R&D platform for perovskite modules in the framework of Solliance, conducting advanced research on the development of perovskite-based PV modules and its applications, with industrial partners Solartek, Dyesol and Panasonic.
Denis Kovalevich, the chair of the board of directors of Solartek remarked: “Solartek is excited with this breakthrough; we are going to continue our fruitful collaboration with Solliance, supplying imec and other research teams with samples of high tech materials, such a CNT inks, to reduce the cost of production of perovskite modules on large scale processing by replacing most expensive materials, like gold.”
Imec will showcase its silicon and perovskite photovoltaic technologies at SNEC, the biggest PV trade show worldwide, April 19-21, 2017 (Shanghai New Int’l Expo Centre, Shanghai, China).
