Project R-15246

Advanced Characterization and Modelling for Stable, Sustainable and Upscalable Perovskite-based Tandem Solar Cells (Research)

In the last decade, solar photovoltaic (PV) has emerged as one of the go-to candidates for future energy production, with more than 60TWp of expected installed capacity by 2050. It is therefore of strategic importance for Belgium and the EU to re-develop its primacy in the PV sector thereby guaranteeing their energetic independence. Tandem solar cells are foreseen as the most promising PV technology, due to their >35% theoretical efficiency enabling lower production costs and scarce materials usage per Wp compared to the current technology. Despite these good properties, there are still concerns about the long-term stability, use sustainability and efficiency on large area of these cells, that are currently preventing them to enter the market. This thesis aims at tackling these challenges by providing a clear understanding of perovskite-based tandem solar cells and their loss mechanisms, and provide pathways towards their commercialization. A multi-level modelling- and characterization-based approach is proposed, linking the micro-scale phenomena to macro-scale device properties. Based on this modelling, a performance road-map is built, targeting specifically the use of earth-abundant material and the cell stability on large area. In the end, this thesis should enable the production of a 100cm² experimental tandem solar device with high efficiency, that is stable and uses sustainable materials.

01 November 2024 - 31 October 2028