Advanced optics for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stefan Glunz
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering ; Electrical Energy Systems, Power Management, Power Electronics, Electrical Machines and Drives
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 322520834

Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells have the potential to overcome the fundamental efficiency limitation of pure silicon solar cells in a cost-effective way. However, currently optical losses limit the practical efficiency of such cells significantly. Therefore, the main goal of the project Advanced optics for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells (OPoSiT) is the optimization of the optical performance of such tandem cells. The goals of the project are the following 1. Maximization of the light coupling into the system 2. Increasing the absorption of high-energy photons in the perovskite top solar cell 3. Increasing the absorption of photons with lower energy in the silicon bottom cell (with low parasitic absorption) 4. Increasing the short-circuit current of the silicon solar cell by at least 1.5 mA/cm2 These goals will be reached by implementing (i) an effective antireflection structure on the front side, (ii) by highly transparent contact on the perovskite solar cell and between the silicon and perovskite solar cell and (iii) by a very effective light-trapping structure at the rear of the silicon solar cell. For all concepts it is crucial that not only the optical but also the electrical performance and the compatibility with the full process sequence are taken into account.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants