Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) examined how improving efficiency and expanding manufacturing capacity can reduce the cost of metal halide perovskite/silicon tandem solar modules. Tandem technology, which combines silicon with perovskites, offers higher sunlight-to-electricity conversion rates compared to single-junction silicon modules. Using the Detailed Cost Analysis Model (DCAM), researchers analyzed manufacturing methods, costs, and factors such as factory throughput and module efficiency. A 2.5% efficiency gain in a module was found to lower costs as much as doubling factory size. The study noted that tandem modules need a minimum efficiency of 25% to compete with other solar technologies. Future commercialization efforts will focus on improving reliability and scaling high-efficiency devices to full module sizes. This research was funded by the US Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office.
NREL research tandem solar tech to cut costs!
Tandem solar technology research includes efficiency improvements, cost reductions, and manufacturing analysis using the Detailed Cost Analysis Model (DCAM). (Image Source: Joule)
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