Qcells Sets New World Record with 28.6 Percent Efficiency for Tandem Solar Cells

Qcells, a provider of complete energy solutions, has set a new world record for solar cell efficiency, reaching 28.6 percent for its tandem solar cell.

As per the firm's statement, this achievement was verified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) CalLab and marks a significant milestone in solar technology.

The record was achieved on a full-area M10-sized cell, produced on Qcells' research and development pilot line in Germany. The cell features a perovskite top layer and Q.ANTUM silicon bottom layer, both of which work together to improve efficiency by capturing different light wavelengths.

This tandem design allows the top cell to absorb high-energy light, while the bottom cell captures lower-energy light, enhancing the overall power output per area. As a result, fewer modules are needed for the same power output, potentially reducing solar project costs and land usage.

Qcells' CTO, Danielle Merfeld, emphasised that this achievement will accelerate the commercialisation of tandem solar cell technology, further driving advancements in solar energy efficiency. The company has been working on developing this technology since 2016, with significant progress in the past few years through its R&D centers in Germany and Korea. Qcells' focus has shifted from small-area tandem cells to large-area cells, enabling this breakthrough.

The statement further noted that this new record also underscores the growing competition in the solar industry, with other companies like Longi and Oxford PV also reporting significant advances in solar cell efficiency.

However, Qcells' achievement in making the technology scalable for mass production marks a critical step toward the widespread adoption of more powerful and cost-effective solar energy solutions.