Breakthrough in Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency: Singlet Fission Boosts Output Beyond 30%
Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and UNSW Sydney have made significant strides in enhancing silicon solar cell efficiency using singlet fission. This method, which doubles electrical yield from blue light, could boost silicon module efficiency beyond 30 percent, opening doors for space-constrained applications.
The team, led by Professors Tim Schmidt, Ned Ekins-Daukes, and Murad Tayebjee, has been collaborating for nearly two decades. Their latest breakthrough, published by UNSW Sydney, demonstrates singlet fission-derived triplet exciton transfer to silicon from stable dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione (DPND) derivatives. This process can be integrated with existing silicon technologies with minimal changes.
Theoretical models suggest adding a singlet fission layer could improve silicon solar cell efficiency by over 10 percent. The team has also developed a diagnostic tool using photoluminescence to monitor singlet fission, aiding materials development and quality control in PV manufacturing.
The successful demonstration of singlet fission in silicon solar cells paves the way for higher output cells without the cost and complexity of tandem devices. This advance could revolutionize the solar industry, making solar power more feasible for space-constrained rooftops, electric vehicles, and building-integrated photovoltaics.
