Shanghai-headquartered solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar has announced its latest breakthrough in the development of N-type TOPCon-based perovskite tandem solar cell, which achieved a record conversion efficiency of 33.84%.
Independently tested by the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the cell surpassed JinkoSolar’s previous record of 33.24%. The newest innovation marks the company’s 27th world record for PV product efficiency and power output.
Passivation tech powers tandem cell efficiency
JinkoSolar developed a record-breaking perovskite tandem solar cell that incorporates its N-type high-efficiency monocrystalline TOPCon technology as the bottom layer, with enhanced efficiency achieved through innovations in full-area passivated contact, perovskite interfacial defect passivation, and bulk defect passivation technologies.
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According to the firm, the results surpass the conversion efficiency limit of single-junction crystalline silicon cells, demonstrating the compatibility of TOPCon as a mainstream solar cell technology with next-generation perovskite/silicon tandem cells. This breakthrough paves the way for new advancements in the future of the photovoltaic industry, JinkoSolar stated in a press release.
“Once again, we have achieved remarkable progress in solar cell efficiency as a result of our ongoing investments in R&D and steadfast commitment to excellence. This milestone strengthens our confidence in our ability to achieve further technological breakthroughs as we work toward building a greener and more sustainable energy future,” Jin Hao, CTO at JinkoSolar, pointed out.
Perovskite materials have long been hailed as a game-changer in solar technology due to their potential for high efficiency and low manufacturing costs. Their unique properties allow for flexibility in design and integration, making them an attractive option for next-generation solar cells.
However, one of the major challenges has been their tendency to degrade over time, which poses a significant concern for their use in commercial applications. Solar products, particularly those installed in outdoor environments, need to withstand harsh weather conditions, temperature fluctuations, and UV exposure over many years, which cam make them less suitable for long-term, large-scale energy generation.
Next-gen solar cells could reach 43% conversion
Back in September 2024, Chinese manufacturer LONGi set a new world record for perovskite-tandem solar cell efficiency, reaching 34.6%. This surpassed the previous record of 33.7%, held by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) for a perovskite-silicon tandem device.
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This bilayer interface passivation strategy is said to enhance both electron transport and hole blocking. LONGi’s tandem team developed the two-terminal prototype devices, which have achieved a certified efficiency of 34.6%.
While further technical details were not provided, LONGi mentioned that the commercial-sized two-terminal tandem cells for mass production (M6) and the world’s first square meter four-terminal tandem modules have been certified with efficiencies of 30.1% and 25.8%, respectively.
The silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell is regarded as the leading technology for next-generation ultra-efficient solar cells, with a theoretical maximum efficiency of up to 43%, significantly exceeding the 33.7% Shockley-Queisser limit for single-junction cells.
