DAS Solar and UNSW PV Lab Collaborate to Achieve 40% Cell Efficiency with SFOS Technology
Key Insights
DAS Solar and UNSW PV Lab have partnered to develop SFOS multi-photon technology, targeting a groundbreaking 40% cell efficiency.
The collaboration focuses on high-efficiency SFOS cell technology, leveraging DAS Solar's TOPCon 5.0 platform with a 27% mass-production efficiency.
Recent breakthroughs include the discovery of stable singlet fission materials and advancements in interlayer materials for SFOS structures.
DAS Solar emphasizes academic-industry partnerships, collaborating with global institutions to drive PV innovation and industrial upgrades.
DAS Solar’s central research institute has welcomed a team of seven researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) PV Laboratory, led by Professor Ned Ekins-Daukes, marking a significant step in their joint research agreement signed in May 2023. The collaboration aims to achieve a 40% cell efficiency using SFOS (singlet fission and optical splitting) multi-photon technology, a milestone that could redefine photovoltaic (PV) performance standards.
Dr. Dengyuan Song, DAS Solar’s Chief Technology Officer and head of its research institute, alongside Kangping Zhang, deputy director and GM of R&D, engaged in detailed discussions with the UNSW team. The talks centered on the latest advancements and commercialization potential of high-efficiency SFOS cell technology. DAS Solar’s TOPCon 5.0 technology, which boasts a 746 mV open-circuit voltage and 27% mass-production efficiency, serves as a robust foundation for engineering the SFOS device, accelerating its industrialization and cost reduction.
Key scientific and engineering challenges of SFOS technology were also addressed, with recent breakthroughs highlighted. Among these is the discovery of highly stable singlet fission materials, capable of generating multi-photon effects through triplet exciton transfer. This breakthrough opens new avenues for significantly boosting cell efficiency. Additionally, the team has made strides in developing interlayer materials for SFOS structures, which act as a critical interface between the TOPCon base cell and the upper photon-conversion layer. These materials facilitate the rapid and efficient migration of photogenerated carriers to the PN junction, ensuring high current generation and seamless charge transfer.
DAS Solar’s commitment to academic-industry collaboration is evident in its partnerships with leading institutions worldwide. Beyond UNSW, the company works closely with top Chinese universities like Zhejiang and Xiamen to explore next-generation PV technologies and strengthen its competitive edge. These collaborations underscore DAS Solar’s strategy to blend cutting-edge research with industrial application, driving innovation in the renewable energy sector.