Longi sets record 33.5% efficiency for silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells

Chinese solar manufacturer Longi has announced a new conversion efficiency of 33.5% for silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells based on commercial CZ silicon wafers.

Announced at Intersolar Europe 2023, the world’s leading solar industry exhibition, Longi revealed that the new conversion efficiency had been confirmed by the European Solar Test Installation (ESTI).

The new efficiency was an increase of 1.7% from the previous 31.8% and is currently the second highest efficiency record in the world. Moreover, Longi remains positive that it will be able to achieve continuous improvements in the future.

Over the period from April 2021, Longi has broken the world record for solar cell efficiency 14 times and is the current record holder for the highest conversion efficiency for silicon solar cells at 26.81%.

“Improving cell conversion efficiency and reducing the cost of electricity remain the perpetual theme driving the development of the photovoltaic industry,” said Li Zhenguo, president of Longi.

“The photovoltaic power generation is ‘born from light’ and the light from the sun is just fair to everyone. As a global inclusive energy source, photovoltaic is sending light and well-being to various countries and regions around the world.

“Over the past decade, because the cost of electricity has dropped by more than 90%, photovoltaic has become the most economical energy type in most countries in the world.”

Longi’s research and development (R&D) team has been carrying out research on tandem solar cells for awhile now, one of China’s pioneers on the technology, and has already achieved successive breakthroughs in key technologies including perovskite thin-film crystal growth on textured silicon substrates, effective bulk passivation, and light management.

These advancements have subsequently led to rapid improvements in the efficiency of silicon-based tandem cells.