By zhanqun1 
A revolutionary breakthrough in photovoltaic technology has just arrived. Trina Solar’s Photovoltaic Science and Technology National Key Laboratory announced it has successfully developed the world’s first industrial-standard perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem module, with a record peak power of 808W. Having an area of 3.1 m² and adopting a 210 mm large-cell form factor, the module passed rigorous certification tests run by TÜV SÜD, breaking through the 800W barrier and setting a new world record. This milestone accomplishment not only demonstrates decades of focused research but also signals the dawn of the commercialization age for tandem solar cell technology.
Breaking Through Efficiency Limits
Traditional crystalline silicon solar cells have increasingly closed in on their theoretical efficiency barrier—typically around 29.4% for single-junction cells. As nearly all performance improvements possible were being realized, the photovoltaic industry turned its attention to tandem cell technologies that can overcome these limits. By combining the strengths of perovskite materials and crystalline silicon cells, tandem cells can theoretically attain efficiencies of 43%.
The new design capitalizes on the complementary absorption behavior of the two materials. Perovskite layers are especially effective at absorbing short-wavelength light, while the silicon cells below them are designed to absorb longer wavelengths. Together, they collect a broader spectrum of sunlight as electricity, significantly improving overall conversion efficiency and offering a path to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of solar power plants.
A Decade of Innovation
Trina Solar started its journey in perovskite tandem technology in 2014. The company has been closely collaborating with world-class academic institutions such as Nanjing University, Nankai University, North China Electric Power University, and the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences over the last decade to spearhead leading-edge research. Trina Solar continued to expand in 2019 by being a participant in a national key project to design, produce, and underlying mechanism of perovskite/silicon tandem cells.
These combined endeavors have yielded impressive outcome, as 331 patents have placed Trina Solar firmly in the market. Through virtue of innovative approaches such as perovskite bulk doping, sophisticated interface engineering, and novel composite layer structuring, the firm has overcome most technical challenges that previously rendered tandem solar cells commercially not feasible.
The 808W Module: A Milestone for Commercialization
The unveiling of the 808W module is more than just a technical achievement—it’s a major leap toward the industrial-scale production of tandem solar cells. Here are some key highlights:
Large-Format Design: The module features a 210 mm large-cell format, which significantly enhances the overall power output while also contributing to lower balance-of-system (BOS) costs. This design choice is critical for driving down installation expenses and making large-scale solar projects more economically attractive.
Industrial Standardization: With its industrial-standard dimensions and certification from TÜV SÜD, the module is poised for mass production. This breakthrough sets the stage for the widespread adoption of tandem solar technology, promising not only improved efficiency but also a more competitive market landscape.
Trina Solar’s Chairman and CEO, Gao Jifan, commented on the achievement:
“The successful fabrication of the world’s first industrial-scale 800W+ perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem module is a major breakthrough. It represents a pivotal step in our drive toward commercializing tandem cell technology and solidifies our leadership in next-generation photovoltaic innovations.”
Commercial Prospects and Industry Challenges
As the solar industry moves towards grid parity, lowering the LCOE is now the priority. Tandem solar cells, with their high conversion efficiencies, are ideal for cracking this problem. But translating laboratory miracles into stable large-scale production is not an easy feat.
Scaling up Production: While the technical performance of tandem cells is breathtaking, it is a challenging task to replicate uniform manufacturing yields at a commercial level. Trina Solar is striving hard to address these challenges by constantly refining material interfaces and composite layer structures, which are critical for improving product stability and reliability.
Cost Savings: Among the key motivations for adopting tandem cell technology is cost savings. By attaining higher power outputs per module, these future cells can cut system-wide costs and offer a reduced payback period for solar investments. With economies of scale on the table as production scales up, unit costs will fall further, and high-efficiency solar systems will become more affordable worldwide.
A Glimpse into the Future of Photovoltaics
The 808W module development is a paradigm change in solar technology. By harnessing the synergistic benefits of perovskite and crystalline silicon, tandem cells can potentially transform the performance levels of solar panels globally. This breakthrough paves the way to:
Greater Energy Output: With enhanced efficiency of conversion, next-generation solar panels can produce more electricity using the same amount of surface area, which can be a great advantage in population-intensive or resource-limited regions.
Accelerated Energy Transition: With governments and industries worldwide accelerating the adoption of cleaner energy resources, enhanced performance and reduced cost of tandem modules will play a critical role in accelerating the utilization of renewable energy.
Technological Leadership: Tandem solar technology’s commercial success will not only increase the competitive edge of companies like Trina Solar but also create new standards for the photovoltaic industry, prompting further research and development.
Briefly, the debut of the 808W perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem module is a breakthrough that signals the beginning of a new wave of innovation for the solar sector. As the technology matures further, it is likely to bring enhanced efficiency, lower costs, and a solid framework for an era of clean energy. The tandem cell era is here and can change the way we leverage the energy of the sun to make tomorrow a better day.