Oxford PV sets new solar cell world record
24 May 2023 – Oxford PV, a pioneer in the field of next-generation solar cells, has set a new world record for the efficiency of a commercial-sized solar cell, marking a significant breakthrough in the drive towards a low-carbon global economy.
The record-breaking solar cell converted 28.6% of the sun’s energy into electricity, as independently certified by Fraunhofer ISE. The cell was made by depositing a thin film of the material perovskite onto a conventional silicon solar cell. The combined ‘perovskite-on-silicon’ tandem solar cell achieves a conversion efficiency that is substantially higher than that of mainstream silicon-only solar cells, which average 22–24%.
The solar cell was produced at Oxford PV’s integrated production line in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. The factory has commenced initial production of the company’s tandem solar cells for integration by solar module manufacturing partners and is ramping up to higher volumes. The site, operational since 2017, houses the world’s first volume manufacturing line for perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells and employs more than 70 staff.
Chris Case, Chief Technology Officer at Oxford PV, said:
“Our latest efficiency achievement of 28.6% is more than 1.5% above our record set last year and exceeds our own roadmap plan of 1% annual increases. These record-setting solar cells are made on the same production line as our 27% efficient commercial solar cells, which already meet strict performance and reliability targets.
“Solar is already one of the least expensive and cleanest forms of energy available, and our technology will make it even more affordable. Solar panels integrated with Oxford PV’s solar cells produce more electricity from the same area, making them highly attractive for residential and commercial rooftops. For utility-scale solar farms, our technology will also help them reduce land usage and maintain biodiversity.”
David Ward, Chief Executive Officer at Oxford PV, said:
“This world record on a large-area cell is our second in two years and marks another milestone for our technology. The achievement also showcases our strong intellectual property and is a testament to the talent and commitment of our team.
“While we continue to innovate on our perovskite-on-silicon technology on small research-sized solar cells, much of our focus has been on improving our commercial-sized cells for the market, ramping up production, and working with our solar module partners to prepare them for assembly into solar panels. Our team has made excellent progress during 2023 and our innovative solar cells are close to being in the hands of our module-manufacturing customers.”
A spin-out of the University of Oxford, Oxford PV has been developing its perovskite-on-silicon technology based on research-sized cells at its R&D centre in Oxford, UK. Its production facility near Berlin, Germany, is focusing on scaling up and continuously improving the manufacturing of commercial-sized devices, and the company has recently registered a US subsidiary.
Notes to editors
About the latest world record
- The efficiency world record was achieved on a commercial-sized ‘M4’ (258.15 cm2) solar cell. The cell is a ‘two-terminal’ device made by depositing a perovskite thin-film cell onto a conventional silicon heterojunction cell.
- The world record of 28.6% exceeds Oxford PV’s previous world record on a commercial-sized cell, at 26.8% certified in May 2022 by Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy (ISE), a recognised certifying body based in Germany. In December 2020, Oxford PV achieved a world record conversion efficiency of 29.5% on a research-sized cell.
- Oxford PV’s perovskite-on-silicon solar cell technology combines a thin layer of perovskite, a synthetic solar conversion material, with silicon, the mainstream solar cell technology to create a more powerful solar cell that generates at least 20% more electricity from sunlight than with silicon-only cell technology.
About Oxford PV
Oxford PV is a pioneer and technology leader in the field of perovskite solar cells. The company was established in 2010, as a spin-out from the University of Oxford. It focuses exclusively on developing and commercialising a perovskite-based solar technology. A research and development site in Oxford, UK, and an integrated production line near Berlin, Germany enable the accelerated transfer of its technology into industrial-scale perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cell manufacturing.
Oxford PV has achieved a world-record efficiency of 28.6% for its commercial-sized perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cell. The company has a clear roadmap to take this technology beyond 30% efficiency.
Solar panels built with Oxford PV’s solar cell technology will generate more power than comparably sized, silicon-only based PV technology – critical for delivering more affordable clean energy, accelerating the adoption rate of solar, and addressing the climate crisis.
