Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have set a new global benchmark in thin-film photovoltaics, achieving a certified 26.4% power conversion efficiency (PCE) for a perovskite–organic tandem solar cell over a 1 cm² active area. The breakthrough, led by Assistant Professor Hou Yi from NUS’ Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), was published in Nature on 25 June 2025.
The record performance stems from the development of a newly engineered narrow-bandgap organic absorber designed to enhance near-infrared (NIR) photon harvesting — a persistent bottleneck in perovskite–organic tandem architectures. By introducing an asymmetric organic acceptor with extended conjugation, the team enabled deeper NIR absorption while maintaining efficient charge separation and minimizing energy loss. Advanced spectroscopy and device physics analyses confirmed high free carrier collection efficiency.
The researchers integrated the improved organic subcell beneath a high-efficiency perovskite top cell using a transparent conducting oxide (TCO)-based interconnector. The tandem device achieved 27.5% efficiency on 0.05 cm² samples and 26.7% on 1 cm² devices, with 26.4% independently certified — currently the highest certified efficiency reported for perovskite–organic tandems at this scale.
Beyond efficiency gains, the lightweight and flexible design makes these tandem films promising for next-generation applications such as wearable electronics, drones, smart fabrics, and self-powered sensors. The team’s next focus will be improving long-term operational stability and advancing toward pilot-scale manufacturing, paving the way for commercial deployment of high-performance flexible solar technologies.
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