Germany based Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed two tandem photovoltaic modules with record efficiencies. A III-V germanium module reached 34.2% efficiency, becoming the most efficient solar module globally. It integrates solar cells from AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH and nano-imprint anti-reflection structures from temicon GmbH. A III-V silicon module achieved 31.3% efficiency under the Mod30plus project. The 218 cm² module was adapted for shingle interconnection. The larger 833 cm² germanium module was realized within the Vorfahrt project using triple III-V cells optimized for the terrestrial spectrum. Conventional silicon cells are limited to 29.4%, while commercial modules average about 24%. Tandem multi-junction designs aim to surpass these limits. Project partners included III/V-Reclaim, KIT, LPKF, PROTAVIC INTERNATIONAL, SUNSET Energietechnik, GOCHERMANN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY, Audi AG, Elektra Solar, with funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Fraunhofer ISE sets new records for tandem photovoltaic modules
Fraunhofer ISE set new tandem module records of 34.2 % and 31.3 % in Germany, working with AZUR SPACE and temicon through the Mod30plus and Vorfahrt projects.
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