Saudi Gazette report

THUWAL — Scientists at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have revealed a detailed roadmap for commercializing perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, a significant step toward affordable, clean energy. This innovation, led by Professor Stefaan De Wolf and his team at the KAUST Solar Center, aligns with Saudi Arabia's solar energy strategies.

The technology merges perovskite's efficient light absorption and silicon's stability, setting records in power conversion efficiency. Five global records were established in 2023, evidencing rapid advancements in this domain.

The roadmap acknowledges the translation of lab success to practical application, emphasizing the importance of testing in varied environmental conditions and assessing long-term stability through accelerated aging tests. These measures are vital for determining competitive pricing and warranties.

Challenges in current production processes, such as high material costs and the use of potentially hazardous chemicals, are also addressed. The roadmap suggests new paradigms in manufacturing, focusing on cost reduction and safety.

Professor De Wolf predicts a market value exceeding $10 billion for these tandem cells within a decade. He emphasized KAUST's leading role in this energy revolution, aiming to provide universally accessible clean energy.