Oxford PV and Fraunhofer ISE Achieve 25.6% Module Efficiency with Shingled Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells

June 28, 2026

PV Magazine Germany

Overview

Oxford PV, in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISE, has announced a breakthrough 25.6% module conversion efficiency for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells utilizing an innovative shingled architecture. This ‘Matrix Shingle’ design significantly reduces internal resistance losses and eliminates the need for copper interconnects, enhancing overall module performance and simplifying manufacturing. The technology also improves resilience to partial shading, promising more stable energy output in real-world conditions. This achievement moves Oxford PV closer to its ambitious roadmap, which includes commercializing 26%-efficient products this year and reaching over 30% efficiency with extended lifespans by 2027.

In Depth

Key Findings

Oxford PV, in a significant collaboration with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), has achieved a remarkable 25.6% module conversion efficiency for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. This breakthrough is attributed to an innovative shingled architecture, representing a critical advancement towards the commercialization of next-generation high-efficiency photovoltaic technology.

Technical / Clinical Details

The 25.6% efficiency was achieved using a novel module design dubbed ‘Matrix Shingle.’ This architecture involves overlapping and connecting individual solar cells, a technique that drastically minimizes resistive losses commonly associated with traditional wire-grid configurations. A key benefit of this shingled approach is the elimination of copper interconnects within the module, leading to both reduced manufacturing complexity and potential cost savings. Furthermore, the shingled design offers improved performance under partial shading conditions, a common challenge in real-world installations where objects like trees or adjacent buildings can cast shadows. This enhanced resilience ensures more consistent energy generation, making the modules more reliable and effective across diverse environmental settings.

Background & Context

Perovskite solar cells are at the forefront of photovoltaic research due to their potential to surpass the theoretical efficiency limits of conventional silicon solar cells. Tandem configurations, which stack a perovskite cell atop a silicon cell, are particularly promising as they can more effectively capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, thereby boosting overall conversion efficiency. Oxford PV has been a pioneer in this field, having previously announced a 26.9%-efficient perovskite-silicon tandem module in June 2024. The latest achievement with the shingled design addresses the critical challenge of translating laboratory-scale cell efficiencies into commercially viable, high-performance modules. Bridging this gap is essential for the widespread adoption of perovskite technology.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

Oxford PV has outlined an aggressive roadmap, planning to release 26%-efficient products to the market within the current year and aiming for over 30% efficiency with a 30-year operational lifespan by 2027. The success with the shingled module design significantly bolsters the feasibility of these ambitious targets. By reducing internal losses and improving shade tolerance, this technology expands the range of suitable deployment sites for solar energy systems, potentially accelerating the global transition to renewable energy. Such advancements could see perovskite-silicon tandem modules adopted in a broad array of applications, from residential rooftops to large-scale utility projects, setting new benchmarks for solar energy generation.

Source: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/18/oxford-pv-achieves-25-6-efficiency-for-perovskite-silicon-tandem-module-based-on-shingled-design/

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