Science and Technology

Record-Breaking Solar Cell Technology Unveiled by National University of Singapore Scientists

In an unprecedented advancement in solar cell technology, a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has achieved a new milestone. They have developed the world's best-performing triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell, which boasts a certified power conversion efficiency of 27.1 percent over a solar energy absorption area of one square centimeter. This development heralds a new era in solar cell efficiency and showcases a significant step forward in the realm of renewable energy.

Engineering for Efficiency: Cyanate-Integrated Perovskites

Achieving higher efficiency is a constant goal in the advancement of solar cell technology. Multi-junction solar cells, made from multiple layers of photovoltaic materials, absorb solar energy at varying wavelengths to increase efficiency. Despite the theoretical advantages, these multi-junction cells face challenges like low voltage and instability during operation, leading to energy loss.

Addressing these issues with ingenuity, Assistant Professor Hou Yi led a team from NUS College of Design and Engineering and the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore to integrate cyanate into a perovskite solar cell, creating a high-performance triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell. The incorporation of cyanate—never before attempted in perovskite-based solar cells—marks a significant breakthrough that has now set the highest efficiency record for this type of cell.

The Breakthrough: A Decade and a Half of Research Culminates

Assistant Professor Hou's team's dedication to the field of perovskite-based solar cells spans over 15 years. It is this commitment that has led to the first experimental evidence of cyanate's powerful impact on the stability and efficiency of perovskite structures. Hou, a Presidential Young Professor at NUS's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, as well as a Group Leader at SERIS, has steered his team to a significant achievement that will reverberate through future energy research.

Published in the prestigious journal Nature on March 4, 2024, this revolutionary process signals a paradigm shift in how scientists can further optimize perovskite solar cells.

Exploring New Avenues with Pseudohalides

Solar cell technology depends on the interactions within the perovskite structure to define its energy range. Adjusting component ratios or substituting elements within that structure allows for significant changes in energy capture. Previous research, however, struggled to discover a variant of perovskite with both an ultrawide energy range and high efficiency.

In this groundbreaking work, the NUS team took a leap forward by experimenting with cyanate, a novel pseudohalide, as a substitute for commonly used bromide ions. Dr. Liu Shunchang, a Research Fellow in Assistant Professor Hou's team, confirmed the successful inclusion of cyanate through meticulous analytical methods. These efforts resulted in a perovskite solar cell that carried unprecedented potential for stability and efficiency.

The introduction of cyanate into the perovskite structure not only stabilized it but also created crucial internal interactions. It provided experimental substantiation of cyanate's role as a feasible alternative to halides for perovskite solar cells' longevity and efficiency.

A Quantum Leap in Performance: Cyanate-Integrated Perovskite Solar Cells

When the performance of perovskite solar cells was evaluated, those containing cyanate outperformed traditional variants, notably achieving a higher voltage of 1.422 volts compared to 1.357 volts, indicative of significantly reduced energy loss.

The team then rigorously tested the endurance of these solar cells, maintaining its operation at maximum power for an impressive 300 hours under controlled conditions. Astonishingly, these cells remained stable and operated at more than 96 percent of their capacity at the conclusion of this testing phase.

The Pinnacle of Solar Cell Architecture: The Triple-Junction Perovskite/Si Tandem Cell

With the successful integration of the cyanate into perovskite solar cells, the NUS team escalated the innovation by utilizing this discovery to craft a triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell. By stacking a perovskite atop a silicon solar cell, a dual-junction half-cell was formed, providing an ideal platform for adding the cyanate-integrated perovskite layer.

The intricacies of the triple-junction design did not deter its performance. In fact, upon assembly, the NUS researchers demonstrated an extraordinary feat—attaining a world-record efficiency certified by an accredited independent photovoltaic calibration laboratory.

Assistant Professor Hou remarked on the collective breakthroughs and the promise they hold for reducing energy loss in perovskite solar cells. These developments chart a bold direction for the advancement of triple-junction solar cell technology based on perovskite.

Looking to the Horizon: Scaling for the Future

The theoretical efficiency ceiling for triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cells is above 50 percent, paving the way for considerable future enhancements. This potential is particularly compelling in scenarios where installation space for solar panels is at a premium.

With sights set on technological evolution, the NUS team is intent on upscaling their cyanate-integrated perovskite solar cells to larger modules while maintaining efficiency and stability. Pushing the boundaries even further, future research will home in on perfecting interface compatibilities and perovskite compositions—identified as critical steps in evolving this class-leading solar technology.

Further insights into these developments can be accessed through the comprehensive report provided at NUS News, detailing the journey of this remarkable advancement.

In conclusion, the astonishing progress made by the scientists at the National University of Singapore is poised to redefine solar technology, carving out new pathways for higher efficiency and stability in the renewable energy sector. As the world focuses more on sustainable energy solutions, breakthroughs such as these provide a beacon of hope and a glimpse into a future where renewable energy meets a larger share of global energy needs. The potential for scaled implementation of these solar cells could herald a paradigm shift in how we harness the power of the sun to fuel our daily lives and protect our planet.

The SOURCE of these revolutionary findings is attributed to the National University of Singapore, whose relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation in the field of sustainable technology continues to make significant contributions to the world.

In light of this impressive achievement from the National University of Singapore, the global scientific community and the renewable energy industry eagerly anticipate the advancements that will emerge from Asst Prof Hou's team. With the bar set high by their cyanate-integrated triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell, the foundation has been laid for a future where solar power can be harnessed with unprecedented efficiency, offering a cleaner, more sustainable way to meet our energy demands.

The National University of Singapore’s ground-breaking discovery not only pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of solar cell efficiency but also inspires future generations of scientists and researchers to pursue innovation with relentless curiosity and determination.

As we stand at the cusp of an era that demands a transition towards more eco-friendly and renewable energy sources, the contributions of the National University of Singapore's expert team will undoubtedly serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path toward a greener and more energy-efficient future for all.

The successful outcome of these studies illustrates the potential of combining academic expertise with dedication to overcoming the challenges of renewable energy technology. It is a testament to the power of collaborative scientific pursuit and stands as a milestone in the continued effort to foster sustainable ways of living.

As the world seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change through the adoption of clean energy sources, such technological innovations in solar cell design and efficiency promise to accelerate the transition to a fully renewable and sustainable energy grid.

With these strides in solar cell technology, the National University of Singapore has once again demonstrated its role as a leader in the field of renewable energy research. The world watches in anticipation for the next leap forward, inspired by the possibilities that the future of solar energy holds.

For more information and further details on this major scientific advancement, please visit the National University of Singapore's report on their newfound tandem solar cells with world-record efficiency, which can be read at their official website.

This news article is a testament to the ingenuity and relentless pursuit of excellence by the scientific community. It underlines the importance of ongoing research and development in the renewable energy sector and the potential it has to reshape the world’s energy landscape.

It is truly a defining moment for the National University of Singapore and for the broader field of renewable energy research, with the dawn of new solar technology that sets the standard for innovation and provides a blueprint for energy solutions of the future.

In closing, the stellar work by the team at the National University of Singapore supplies a beacon of progress for those striving to create a sustainable world, and their pioneering triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell stands as a hallmark of their relentless innovation and dedication to the advancement of renewable energy sources.