The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Bedford, Massachusetts-based perovskite-silicon tandem manufacturer CubicPV have announced a significant breakthrough, achieving a certified efficiency of 24.0% for a perovskite minimodule. This milestone marks the first time a U.S. effort has established a record in the perovskite mini-module category, signaling a notable advancement in domestic solar technology development and its potential market impact.

This certified 24.0% efficiency surpasses the previous perovskite mini-module record of 23.9%, as documented in “Solar Cell Efficiency Tables (Version 66)” by Progress in Photovoltaics. The achievement also represents an improvement over a prior NREL-CubicPV collaboration, which yielded a 6 cm² minimodule with a lab efficiency of 23% and less than 9% degradation after 2,200 hours of operation at 55 degrees Celsius. This progression highlights the rapid pace of innovation in perovskite technology.

CubicPV’s strategic focus lies in developing tandem solar devices, which integrate perovskite layers atop silicon to enhance photon capture and reduce the overall cost of energy. NREL, a key partner in this endeavor, concentrates on advancing the manufacturing processes, durability, and efficiency of these perovskite-enabled tandem structures. “The device has particularly high open circuit voltage and fill factor enabled by excellent defect passivation,” stated Laureen Sanderson, CubicPV’s chief communications officer. She added that the company is actively evaluating methods to transfer these learnings to their scalable, durable baseline stack, emphasizing that any efficiency increases must meet or exceed current durability performance metrics under aggressive light and heat testing.

CubicPV employs a solution processing method for the perovskite layer, utilizing slot die coating in its manufacturing process. Other cell layers are formed through a combination of solution and vapor deposition, leveraging established industry methods. This approach is critical for scaling production and ensuring cost-effectiveness. The potential applications for tandem perovskite-silicon solar PV are substantial, according to Sanderson. She stressed that the global photovoltaic roadmap necessitates moving beyond the single-junction efficiency limits currently approached by leading silicon devices. “Tandem is the clear pathway for moving to the next level of efficiency and perovskite is the key enabler,” she asserted, noting that with current low module prices, system costs are increasingly driven by efficiency, making tandem technology crucial for reducing area-related expenses.

Looking ahead, CubicPV is prioritizing stability milestones, with several outdoor installations underway to gather real-world performance data. The company is also deploying higher throughput hardware for accelerated indoor stress testing, aiming to generate larger volumes of data to expedite the path to commercialization. This continued focus on leveraging U.S. technical leadership and collaborating with top global researchers is central to developing scalable, commercially viable, and durable perovskite products.