Uppsala University has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in solar energy generation, setting a new world record for efficiency in Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide (CIGS) solar cells. The independently verified record stands at an impressive 23.64 percent efficiency, surpassing the previous record of 23.35 percent held by Solar Frontier in Japan.

The achievement is the result of a collaboration between Uppsala University and the First Solar European Technology Center (formerly Evolar). The measurements were conducted by the independent institute Fraunhofer ISE in Germany and are detailed in the journal Nature Energy.

Professor Marika Edoff, responsible for the study and an expert in Solar Cell Technology at Uppsala University, highlighted the significance of the achievement. She noted that the university has a history of holding world records, dating back to the 1990s. The new record underscores Uppsala University's commitment to advancing solar cell technology, maintaining competitiveness in the field.

CIGS solar cells consist of layers on a glass sheet, with the critical sunlight-absorbing layer made of copper, indium, gallium, and selenide. The balance between alkali metals, sodium, and rubidium, along with the composition of the CIGS layer, plays a pivotal role in achieving high conversion efficiency.

Solar cells are crucial for global renewable energy goals, with solar power accounting for over 6 percent of global electricity in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. The push for higher efficiency, aiming for over 30 percent, focuses on tandem solar cells. However, the cost-effectiveness of large-scale deployment remains a challenge.

The study conducted advanced material and electrical analyses using nano-XRF, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and electrical measurements. The results confirm CIGS thin-film technology as a competitive stand-alone solar cell, and its potential application in tandem solar cells.

Professor Edoff emphasized the broader implications of the record, stating that it positions CIGS technology as a reliable and viable alternative for various applications. The hope is that detailed analyses of material and electric properties will pave the way for continuous improvements in performance, contributing to the global transition to sustainable energy sources.

Based on: https://www.uu.se