Researchers at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have made a significant breakthrough in solar energy technology by developing a novel method to boost the performance and stability of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells.
The research team, led by Professor Stefaan De Wolf at the KAUST Photovoltaics Laboratory, discovered a way to significantly improve the efficiency and durability of these solar cells by introducing a chemical cation called tetrahydrotriazinium into the perovskite material, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.
De Wolf said that these cells have undergone testing under conditions that replicate the intense light and heat of the Arabian Peninsula, which indicates that they can function effectively in environments with extreme climatic conditions where they might be required to operate.
Published in the journal Science, a leading peer-reviewed academic journal that covers a wide range of scientific disciplines, the method demonstrated that tetrahydrotriazinium strengthens the perovskite crystal structure by increasing hydrogen bond formation.
According to the journal, this enhancement substantially boosts power conversion efficiency and resistance to degradation caused by factors like intense sunlight and heat.
De Wolf emphasized the team's commitment to further enhancing the technology's performance and reducing costs through ongoing research. While the potential for commercialization is substantial, partnerships are essential to scale production and bring this innovative technology to market, he said.
This groundbreaking research represents a major step forward in developing affordable and sustainable solar energy solutions.
