Solar Energy News  
SOLAR DAILY
Graphene, perovskites, and silicon - an ideal tandem for efficient solar cells
by Staff Writers
Rome, Italy (SPX) Mar 04, 2020

illustration only

Graphene Flagship researchers at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and its spin-off, Graphene Flagship Associate Member BeDimensional, in cooperation with ENEA have successfully combined graphene with tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells to achieve efficiencies of up to 26.3%.

Moreover, they envisioned a new manufacturing method that, thanks to the versatility of graphene, allows to reduce production costs and could lead to the production of large-area solar panels. Graphene-based tandem solar cells almost double the efficiency of pure silicon.

Laws of physics limit the maximum efficiency of silicon solar cells to 32%. For that reason, scientists have spent decades trying to come up with other alternatives, such as III-V and perovskites.

However, the latter present several manufacturing challenges, and scaling up the production of solar panels is a key step towards success. With 'tandem cells', scientists had previously combined the advantages of both silicon and perovskites - however stability, efficiency and large-scale manufacturing still seemed like a far-fledged dream.

But then graphene came into play - and it could be a game changer. Graphene Flagship researchers identified its potential for energy harvesting, and in fact have dedicated two different industry-oriented 'Spearhead Projects' to dig into the possibilities of graphene-based solar cells.

This new paper published in Joule - a reference journal in the field of energy research - is yet another proof that graphene and related layered materials will enable the commercialisation of more efficient and cost-effective large area solar panels.

Aldo di Carlo, lead author and researcher in Graphene Flagship partner University of Rome Tor Vergata, explains: "Our new approach to manufacture graphene-enabled tandem solar cells provides a double advantage. First, it can be applied to enhance all the different types of perovskite solar cells currently available, including those processed at high temperatures. But more importantly, we can incorporate our graphene using the widespread 'solution manufacturing methods', key to further deploy our technologies industrially and deliver large-surface, graphene-enabled solar panels."

Francesco Bonaccorso, co-author, co-founder of Graphene Flagship spin-off BeDimensional, says: "This innovative approach proposed in the context of the Graphene Flagship is the first step toward the development of tandem solar cells delivering an efficiency higher than the limit of single junction silicon devices. Layered materials will be pivotal in reaching this target.".

Emmanuel Kymakis, Graphene Flagship Energy Generation Work Package Leader, says: "There are some compatibility issues that have to be tackled before the full exploitation of the perovskite-Si tandem PVs concept. This pioneering work demonstrates that the integration of GRMs inks with on-demand morphology and tuneable optoelectronic properties in a tandem structure, can lead to high-throughput industrial manufacturing.

Graphene and related materials improve the performance, stability and scalability of these devices. The stacked silicon-perovskite configuration will act as the foundation of the new Graphene Flagship Spearhead Project GRAPES, in which a pilot line fabrication of graphene-based perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells will take place, paving the way towards breaking the 30% efficiency barrier and a significant decrease on the Levelized Cost of Energy."

Andrea C. Ferrari, Science and Technology Officer of the Graphene Flagship and Chair of its Management Panel, adds: "The application of graphene and related materials to solar energy generation was recognized as a strategic priority since the start of the Graphene Flagship.

The first graphene-based solar farm is being set up this year. These new results underpin our effort for the following 3 years to produce panels defining the state of the art. This also shows how the work of the Graphene Flagship strongly aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals."

Research paper


Related Links
Graphene Flagship
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


SOLAR DAILY
Kimberly-Clark backs local 3MW solar farm in LaGrange, Georgia
LaGrange GA (SPX) Feb 28, 2020
A 3MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project has been completed and commercialized by United Renewable Energy at Kimberly-Clark's facility in LaGrange, Georgia. The project was the result of collaboration between Kimberly-Clark's facility, United Renewable Energy LLC as the project developer and builder, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC through a subsidiary, which is the long-term project owner. All of the output from the new solar facility, along with all the renewable energy credits (RECs) will be sol ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SOLAR DAILY
Using open-source software to analyze economics of biofuels, bioproducts

Can palm-oil biodiesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Novel photocatalytic method converts biopolyols and sugars into methanol and syngas

New method converts carbon dioxide to methane at low temperatures

SOLAR DAILY
Pentagon adopts ethics for artificial intelligence use

EU seeks 'responsible' AI to dispel Big Brother fears

Autonomous vehicle technology may improve safety for US Army convoys, report says

How a Canadian start-up used AI to track China virus

SOLAR DAILY
Opportunity blows for offshore wind in China

Alphabet cuts cord on power-generating kite business

Iberdrola will build its next wind farm in Spain with the most powerful wind turbine

UK looks to offshore wind for green energy transition

SOLAR DAILY
Alphabet's Waymo raises $2.25 bn to rev up autonomous projects

Luxembourg becomes first country with free public transport

VW ditches natural gas to focus on e-cars

Plastic shields protect China's ride-hailing drivers against virus

SOLAR DAILY
Isotope movement holds key to the power of fusion reactions

Design of the W7-X fusion device enables it to overcome obstacles

Generating electricity 'out of thin air'

Cobalt supply can meet demand for electric vehicle and electronics batteries

SOLAR DAILY
Framatome opens new research and operations center and expands Intercontrole in Cadarache, France

VTT develops a Small Modular Reactor for district heating

France begins shutting down oldest nuclear plant

DR Congo govt gives go-ahead to restarting nuclear reactor

SOLAR DAILY
Coronavirus outbreak slashes China carbon emissions: study

Extreme weather to overload urban power grids, study shows

EU chief pleads to save green deal in budget holed by Brexit

Carbon emissions from energy 'flat' in 2019: IEA

SOLAR DAILY
Bushfires burned a fifth of Australia's forest: study

Hurricanes benefit mangroves in Florida's Everglades, study finds

Satellite image data reveals rapid decline of China's intertidal wetlands

Hungary's Orban vows to plant 10 trees for every newborn









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.