Stable Inorganic TAndem Solar Cell

SITA aims to explore an innovative concept for tandem solar cells with a 2-terminal (2T) approach based on two technologies with strong competence base in Europe: Silicon Heterojunction (SHJ) and high bandgap Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS).

The novel tandem concept – that requires no additional cables or electronics - is enabled by recent developments in wide-gap CIGS devices leading to high efficiency (>18%). SITA will demonstrate the durability of the new modules under realistic outdoor conditions delivering the next generation of stable inorganic tandem solar modules with superior device efficiency (>30%).

SITA’s technology will build on and increase the efficiency of SHJ modules by a factor of 1.5, with a marginal increase in using the costliest raw materials. This, in turn, leads to a considerable reduction in area-related system costs of up to 25% per installed power and a corresponding decrease in the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).

Tandem-junction efficiencies have recently approached or even surpassed the single-junction Shockley-Queisser limit for prototype devices. SITA will address the remaining limitations in terms of stability, scaling, manufacturing costs, and environmental impact.