Tandem solar panels promise more power

These perovskite-silicon cells could unlock a new phase for solar tech

Spotted: Solar and wind, as the most established and mature renewable technologies, are driving the global energy transition. Solar PV generation, for example, increased by 26 per cent in 2022, surpassing wind for the first time to show the largest growth of all renewables. Despite decades of development, conventional silicon materials are near their efficiency limits, and more solutions are needed to maintain growth. Now, startup Oxford PV has announced the first sales of its world-first tandem solar panels, which are designed to do just that. 

Oxford PV was established in 2010 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, specifically to develop and commercialise next-generation perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells. After ten years of development, the company earlier this year set a record for solar panel efficiency at 26.9 per cent, and is now selling its first modules to a US-based utility customer.

According to the company, its panel design has a theoretical maximum efficiency of over 43 per cent – over 20 per cent more than conventional silicon cells. And although the units it is initially selling have a module efficiency of 24.5 per cent, this remains a significant performance edge over standard technologies.

By stacking perovskite on top of silicon cells, Oxford PV is able to capture more of the solar spectrum, enhancing overall efficiency significantly. What really sets these panels apart, however, is their potential to reduce the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), a key factor when considering utility-scale solar or renewable projects. As CEO David Ward shared with Springwise, “The applications for this technology are vast – not only will both residential and utility markets benefit from tandem solar, but its applications are also exciting for the aerospace and automotive industries, where high performance and limited space are especially important factors.”

According to Oxford PV, its solar panels are currently the first of their kind to be commercially deployed, marking a milestone in the sector. They are being manufactured at Oxford PV’s megawatt-scale pilot line in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.

As Ward told Springwise, “We are planning to build a high-volume manufacturing facility in the near future to meet the demand for more efficient solar PV from customers around the world. With a world-leading IP portfolio, we are also engaging with partners, suppliers, and the wider industry, to drive change at scale and pace.”

Written By: Oscar Williams