A review of perovskite/Si tandem solar cells: internal and external components toward high efficiency, long-term durability, and commercialization

Abstract

The rapid evolution of photovoltaic (PV) technology has made solar modules a key solution to meet growing global energy demands. In this context, achieving higher PV efficiency and reducing energy costs have become paramount objectives. Tandem solar cells, in which perovskite subcells are integrated with silicon (Si) subcells, represent a viable solution to surpass the Shockley-Queisser (S-Q) limit that constrains the efficiency of single-junction solar cells. These tandem configurations have demonstrated remarkable efficiency, reaching up to 34.85%, and are at the forefront of current PV research. This review focuses on recent studies aimed at enhancing the efficiency, stability, and scalability of tandem solar cells, including categorizing key areas of development in tandem solar cells into internal components (e.g., Si and perovskite subcells and interconnecting layers) and external components (e.g., encapsulation and busbars). Additionally, we address the fabrication process and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of perovskite/Si tandem solar cells for cost-effective mass production. Moreover, we provide an outlook on the technological advancements required for the successful commercialization of tandem solar cells.