Solar Energy News
SOLAR DAILY
Lighter flexible tandem solar cells set new benchmark in efficiency
illustration only
Lighter flexible tandem solar cells set new benchmark in efficiency
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Apr 15, 2025

The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has achieved a major milestone in solar technology by developing ultra-light and bendable tandem solar cells composed of perovskite and CIGS materials. These flexible solar cells have reached a record-breaking power conversion efficiency of 23.64 percent, the highest yet for their class.

Unlike traditional crystalline silicon-based cells, which are widely used due to cost efficiency and scalability, the new tandem design leverages thin-film technologies for enhanced adaptability. Silicon-perovskite tandems have reached up to 34.6 percent efficiency, but their weight and fragility restrict usage in weight-sensitive sectors such as aerospace and automotive. To address these challenges, KIER researchers turned to combining perovskite with copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), a semiconductor known for its flexibility and suitability for curved surfaces.

CIGS thin-film solar cells can be fabricated on substrates like polyimide and metal foils, making them ideal for integration into non-flat surfaces. However, these cells have historically faced obstacles in efficiency and ease of production. KIER's innovation lies in both its materials engineering and a novel lift-off fabrication technique.

The team introduced a process in which a glass base is first coated with a polyimide layer. The tandem solar cell is then constructed atop this foundation and subsequently detached from the glass, producing a freestanding, flexible device. This method offers stability during fabrication and improves layer uniformity, which enhances performance and consistency.

Another breakthrough came from managing alkali metal diffusion. During fabrication, potassium atoms from the glass substrate can penetrate the CIGS layer, creating defects that impair charge mobility. Using computational modeling, KIER scientists showed that the polyimide coating effectively suppresses this unwanted diffusion, resulting in fewer structural flaws and better performance.

The culmination of these innovations was a solar cell that not only surpassed the previous efficiency benchmark of 18.1 percent for flexible perovskite/CIGS tandems but also maintained 97.7 percent of its output after 100,000 flexing cycles, confirming its mechanical resilience.

"This research is a key achievement that demonstrates the commercial potential of next-generation high-efficiency solar cell technology with flexibility and lightness," said Dr. Inyoung Jeong. "It serves as an important milestone toward realizing ultralight, flexible solar cells with 30 percent efficiency in the future."

Dr. Kihwan Kim, principal investigator of the project, added, "The power-to-weight ratio of the fabricated solar cell is approximately 10 times higher than that of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, making it highly promising for applications in fields that require ultralight solar modules, such as building exteriors, vehicles, and aerospace."

The study, published in the March issue of Joule (Impact Factor: 38.6), was conducted with support from KIER's R and D Program and in collaboration with Professor Tae Kyung Lee of Gyeongsang National University and Professor Hae-Jin Kim of Yonsei University.

Research Report:Flexible and lightweight perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se2 tandem solar cells

Related Links
National Research Council of Science and Technology
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SOLAR DAILY
Launch of AI-powered solar diagnostics platform boosts PV asset performance
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 15, 2025
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has launched a commercial spin-off called the "PV Doctor," marking a significant leap forward in managing and optimizing solar photovoltaic (PV) system performance. Officially unveiled on April 2, 2025, the platform leverages 15 years of R and D into the behavior of PV systems in diverse climates and aims to restore and maintain peak energy output for solar installations worldwide. The PV Doctor ... read more

SOLAR DAILY
Difficult energy transition looms without major EU investment in biomass

Turning wood waste into ultra strong material

Tunisian startup turns olive waste into clean energy

Airlines cast doubt on EU sustainable fuel targets

SOLAR DAILY
RoboBee gains insect-inspired legs for stable landings

Robotic runners hobbled by breakdowns in first half-marathon against humans

Danish brewer adds AI 'colleagues' to human team

AI agents poised to take over travel industry

SOLAR DAILY
US halts Equinor's huge New York offshore wind project

Chinese energy giant Goldwind posts annual growth as overseas drive deepens

Clean energy giant Goldwind leads China's global sector push

Engineers' new design of offshore energy system clears key hurdle

SOLAR DAILY
Volkswagen unveils its electric counter-offensive in China

Ford 'adjusts' some exports to China due to tariffs

Chinese EV maker Nio admits Europe expansion challenges

South Korea's LG Energy Solution exits from $8.4bn Indonesia project

SOLAR DAILY
A new path to self-powered infrastructure with thermoelectric cement

Sophisticated fire use revealed in Ice Age hearths from Ukraine

China's CATL launches new EV sodium battery

Chinese EV battery giant CATL posts 33% surge in Q1 profit

SOLAR DAILY
Mizzou launches design phase for new nuclear research reactor

Using AI to monitor inaccessible locations of nuclear energy systems

Czech nuclear plants to get uranium from Kazakhstan

GE Hitachi moves forward with UK SMR bid

SOLAR DAILY
UN, Brazil to hold virtual summit Wednesday ahead of COP30

Gunmen attack Chinese-owned power plant site in Chile

Puerto Rico's power plants go offline, leading to widespread island blackout

Using liquid air for grid-scale energy storage

SOLAR DAILY
Papua New Guinea lifts ban on forest carbon credits

AI tool aims to help conserve Japan's cherry trees

AI tool aims to help conserve Japan's cherry trees

Lula admits 'still a lot to do' for Indigenous Brazilians

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




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.