New World Record: 26.2% Efficiency in Perovskite Solar Modules

🔑 Enhanced Key Takeaways

•The novel nanocrystal-tailored junction replaces traditional gold-based tunnel recombination junctions (TRJs) with surface-engineered indium oxide (In₂O₃) nanocrystals, which offer exceptional optical transparency and mitigate degradation mechanisms like ion migration, thereby enhancing both device performance and stability.
•The binary co-solvent system developed by the researchers enables uniform large-scale perovskite film manufacturing by slowing the crystallization process, which can lead to vertically oriented perovskite grains and improved environmental stability. This method also supports 'annealing-free' fabrication, a crucial step for scalable roll-to-roll manufacturing processes.
•This 26.2% efficiency record for large-area all-perovskite tandem modules builds upon previous significant achievements by Nanjing University researchers, including a 26.4% efficiency record for perovskite tandem solar cells in 2022, which was the first time such cells surpassed single-junction perovskite solar cells.

🛠️ Technical Deep Dive

Nanocrystal-Tailored Junction: This innovation utilizes surface-engineered indium oxide (In₂O₃) nanocrystals to form an interconnecting layer. This layer is distinguished by its exceptional optical transparency, facilitating smooth interfacial contact and optimizing energy level alignment through precise control over nanocrystal morphology and tailored ligand chemistry. It directly replaces conventional gold-based tunnel recombination junctions (TRJs), which are prone to near-infrared parasitic absorption and degradation mechanisms such as ion migration and interfacial chemical reactions. The In₂O₃ nanocrystal film enhances chemical robustness and mitigates adverse interfacial phenomena, extending the operational lifespan of the tandem modules.
Binary Co-solvent System: The system involves solvent engineering, potentially using high vapor pressure solvent mixtures (e.g., 2-methoxy ethanol and tetrahydrofuran) to deposit highly crystalline perovskite thin-films at room temperature using gas-quenching. This approach slows the crystallization process, allowing a perovskite cap layer to serve as a seed that promotes vertically oriented crystallization in the inner layer of the perovskite film, leading to superior charge extraction ability and excellent environmental stability.
All-Perovskite Tandem Architecture: The module consists of two perovskite sub-cells stacked on top of each other, each designed to absorb different parts of the solar spectrum. This tandem configuration allows for higher overall photoelectric conversion efficiency compared to single-junction cells. The focus on 'large-area' modules addresses a critical aspect for commercial viability and scalability.

🔮 Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources

Accelerated commercialization of all-perovskite tandem solar modules.

The achievement of high efficiency (26.2%) on large-area modules, coupled with enhanced stability through novel junctions and scalable manufacturing techniques, directly addresses key barriers to commercial deployment.

Increased adoption of perovskite technology in diverse solar applications.

Improved stability and efficiency, especially for large-area modules, make perovskite solar cells more viable for applications beyond traditional silicon, such as flexible solar panels and building-integrated photovoltaics.

Further breakthroughs in perovskite-perovskite tandem efficiency.

This record demonstrates the potential of all-perovskite tandem architectures, suggesting continued research will push efficiencies even higher, potentially surpassing the theoretical limits of single-junction cells.

⏳ Timeline

2015

Perovskite solar cell efficiency rapidly increased, reaching 22.1% and demonstrating its potential to compete with inorganic thin-film technologies.

2022

Professor Tan Hairen's team at Nanjing University achieved a record-breaking 26.4% efficiency for perovskite tandem solar cells, marking the first time such cells surpassed single-junction perovskite solar cells.

2024

Nanjing University, in collaboration with Renshine Solar, achieved 30.1% efficiency for a perovskite-perovskite tandem solar cell, albeit on a small area (0.049 cm²).

2025-04

LONGi Solar set a world record for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell efficiency at 34.85% (1.0 cm²).

2025-06

LONGi further advanced large-area tandem cells with a 33% efficiency for a 260.9 cm² crystalline silicon-perovskite two-terminal tandem solar cell.

2026-06-16

A separate research effort achieved 29.1% efficiency for a PEDOT:PSS-free all-perovskite tandem solar cell, setting a new record for this specific configuration.