Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin Develops 3-Junction Perovskite Solar Cell Achieving 27.3% Efficiency and Over 770 Hours of Stable Operation with Graphene and SAMs

July 19, 2026

ConnectSci Germany

Overview

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have developed a novel 3-junction perovskite solar cell that delivers a power conversion efficiency of 27.3% while exhibiting remarkable durability, with minimal degradation after over 770 hours of continuous operation. This breakthrough leverages a dual-layer interface of graphene oxide and self-assembled monolayers instead of traditional PEDOT:PSS, simultaneously boosting both efficiency and stability. The team anticipates further improvements could push efficiency beyond 30%, marking a significant step towards commercial viability for high-performance perovskite PVs.

In Depth

Key Findings

Researchers at Germany’s Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have developed a groundbreaking 3-junction perovskite solar cell that achieves a high power conversion efficiency of 27.3%. This novel device also demonstrates exceptional durability, showing negligible performance degradation after more than 770 hours of continuous operation. This dual achievement marks a significant advance in addressing the critical challenge of simultaneously achieving high efficiency and long-term stability, which are essential for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells.

Technical and Research Details

The innovative design meticulously stacks three distinct perovskite semiconductor layers, optimized to efficiently absorb a broader range of the solar spectrum. A key aspect of this advancement lies in the sophisticated interface engineering between these layers. The research team employed a bilayer structure of graphene oxide (GO) and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as the interlayer, replacing the conventionally used charge transport material, PEDOT:PSS. This GO/SAM system effectively facilitates efficient charge separation and transport while suppressing internal device defects and enhancing resistance to moisture and heat. This careful interface control is crucial for minimizing recombination losses and significantly contributes to both the high conversion efficiency and the extended operational stability of the device.

Background and Industry Context

Perovskite solar cells are garnering considerable attention as a next-generation solar technology due to their high efficiency and potential for low-cost manufacturing. However, ensuring stability, particularly in multi-junction (tandem) configurations, and simplifying manufacturing processes have been key hurdles for commercialization. HZB’s research sets an important benchmark for the industry by achieving both high efficiency and practical stability in a complex 3-junction structure. The approach of using more stable inorganic or molecular layers as alternatives to organic materials like PEDOT:PSS holds significant promise for future perovskite technology development.

Outlook and Strategic Significance

The research team predicts that further improvements in the quality of individual perovskite absorber layers and optimization of the interlayer films could boost the power conversion efficiency of this 3-junction architecture to over 30%. If this technology can be further scaled for large-volume manufacturing, it has the potential to drastically reduce the cost of solar power generation and become a powerful tool for accelerating the adoption of renewable energy. Perovskite solar cells that combine high efficiency and stability are expected to play an indispensable role in future energy supply.

Source: https://connectsci.com/article/new-perovskite-solar-cell-shows-high-efficiency-and-little-degradation

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