Perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics: Technological disruption without business disruption

Abstract

Meeting the ambitious challenge of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and holding the average increase in global temperature below 1.5 °C necessitate the upscaling of readily available renewable energy sources, especially solar photovoltaics. Since the window of time to achieve this goal is closing fast, it is of paramount importance that we accelerate the decarbonization of the global energy system by increasing the power output of solar cells through advancing their power conversion efficiencies toward and beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit. In this Perspective, we describe how the integration of perovskites into the well-established silicon production infrastructure to form perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics can raise the rate of solar deployment. We present a holistic analysis of the technology from different perspectives, such as materials science, manufacturing, sustainability, and business, which highlights how the pairing of perovskite and silicon is advantageous at many different levels of consideration. Altogether, perovskite/silicon tandems deliver a technological disruption in efficiency while maintaining compatibility with the present photovoltaics industry, making it the fastest route to enhance the silicon market and rapidly address climate change.