Introduction

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a new class of photovoltaic materials that exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties and simplicity, as well as the potentially low cost of manufacturing. In 2021, the record conversion efficiency of PSCs is 25.5%, which is comparable with the most efficient, predominant silicon solar cells. The rapid progress in the research spheres is already followed by some companies. The first perovskite-based modules are expected on the market in the next few years.

Although PSCs are highly efficient as stand-alone, single-junction solar cells, their main application is as the upper cell in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. In this way, we successfully combine perovskite technology with the technology of conventional silicon solar cells. Their combination has the potential to exceed the effective conversion efficiency of 30%, thus ensuring a further fall in photovoltaic prices. We were involved in the development and testing of the currently most effective tandem cell with an efficiency of 29.2%. The paper was published in the journal Science.

Laboratory

In the LPVO, we have been researching perovskite solar cells since 2016. At the beginning we focused mainly on optically analysis of tandem perovskite solar cells, and in 2020 we built the laboratory with equipment for perovskite solar cells production: three dry chambers (gloveboxes), where individual layers can be applied by spin coating or evaporation. Currently, our solar cells achieve a high conversion efficiency of 19%.

Our PSC research focuses on:

• Production of highly efficient and stable single-junction PSCs
• Analysis of stability of PSC under real conditions
• Development of measuring systems for monitoring the stability of perovskite single-junction and tandem solar cells
• Optical optimization of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells
• Energy yield analysis of single junction and tandem PSCs
• Electroluminescence of PSC

References

• M. Jošt, “Vpliv debeline plasti za transport elektronov C60 na delovanje perovskitnih sončnih celic,”Elektrotehniski Vestnik, p. 5.
• M. Jošt et al., “Textured interfaces in monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells: advanced light management for improved efficiency and energy yield,” Energy Environ. Sci., vol. 11, no. 12, pp. 3511–3523, Dec. 2018, doi: 10.1039/C8EE02469C.
• M. Jošt et al., “Efficient Light Management by Textured Nanoimprinted Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells,” ACS Photonics, vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 1232–1239, May 2017, doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.7b00138.
• B. Lipovšek, J. Krč, and M. Topič, “Microtextured Light-Management Foils and Their Optimization for Planar Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells,” IEEE J. Photovolt., vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 783–792, May 2018, doi: 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2018.2810844.
• M. Jošt et al., “Perovskite Solar Cells go Outdoors: Field Testing and Temperature Effects on Energy Yield,” Adv. Energy Mater., vol. 10, no. 25, p. 2000454, 2020, doi: 10.1002/aenm.202000454.
• A. Al-Ashouri et al., “Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with 29% efficiency by enhanced hole extraction,” Science, vol. 370, no. 6522, pp. 1300–1309, Dec. 2020, doi: 10.1126/science.abd4016.