Hanwha Solutions Achieves 29.9% Efficiency in Tandem Solar Cells with High-Reliability Encapsulation

Daum (毎日経済新聞) South Korea

Overview

South Korean firm Hanwha Solutions has achieved 29.9% conversion efficiency in next-generation tandem solar cell technology, nearing the 30% commercialization threshold. The company is tackling the perovskite solar cell’s vulnerability to moisture and heat through proprietary “high-reliability encapsulation” technology. This advancement allows for surpassing the theoretical limits of conventional silicon solar cells, positioning Hanwha Solutions as a key player in the next-generation solar market and enhancing the overall competitiveness of South Korean industry.

In Depth

Background

To further enhance the efficiency and widespread adoption of solar power, technologies that can surpass the theoretical limits (approximately 29%) of conventional silicon single-junction solar cells are indispensable. As a breakthrough technology, “tandem solar cells,” which layer perovskite and silicon solar cells, are being developed globally. Tandem cells are expected to achieve over 40% efficiency theoretically, as they can absorb a broader range of the solar spectrum. However, perovskite materials are susceptible to moisture and heat, making the assurance of long-term reliability in tandem structures the biggest challenge for commercialization.

Key Findings / Results

Hanwha Solutions, a leading South Korean energy company, has announced groundbreaking achievements in next-generation tandem solar cell technology. The company has reached a power conversion efficiency of 29.9%, which is remarkably close to the 30% threshold often considered key for commercialization. This high efficiency was achieved through an optimal combination of perovskite and silicon layers, coupled with precise engineering for current matching between the two layers. More significantly, to overcome perovskite solar cells’ major weakness—vulnerability to moisture and heat—Hanwha Solutions has developed and applied its proprietary “high-reliability encapsulation” technology. This encapsulation aims to effectively protect the perovskite layer from the external environment, substantially enhancing long-term durability and reliability. This forms the foundation for extending the practical lifespan of tandem cells and establishing their credibility as commercial products.

Technical Significance & Outlook

Hanwha Solutions’ achievement of 29.9% efficiency in tandem solar cells places it at the forefront of technological competition in the global solar industry. Critically, addressing stability issues through high-reliability encapsulation technology is paramount for overcoming the largest hurdles in perovskite technology commercialization. If this technology is successfully established, tandem solar cells will be capable of generating more electricity from smaller installation areas, accelerating their adoption in a wide range of applications, including residential, industrial, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and electric vehicles (EVs). This holds the potential to significantly transform the existing silicon solar cell market. Such advancements by Hanwha Solutions are expected to strengthen South Korea’s renewable energy industry competitiveness and play a crucial role in establishing its leadership in the global market. Moving forward, the establishment of mass production technologies, cost reduction, and compliance with international long-term reliability certifications will be key to further accelerating the societal implementation of this technology.