Oxford PV has beaten its own world record for solar module efficiency, after its new 60-cell residential-size module achieved an unprecedented conversion rate of 26.9 per cent.
According to the Oxford University spin-out, the module produced with Oxford PV’s perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells surpassed current efficiency records of around 25 per cent, which were achieved with a similar module size earlier this year.
The record was independently measured and certified by recognised calibration laboratory Fraunhofer CalLab.
The firm’s breakthrough double-glass module, with a designated area of just over 1.6 square metres, weighs under 25kg and was designed for residential applications at Oxford PV’s manufacturing facility in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.
“Oxford PV’s record-setting module represents a significant advancement for solar power generation,” said David Ward, CEO of Oxford PV. “Homeowners along with commercial and utility customers will all benefit from upwards of 20 per cent more power with the same footprint.
“Not only does this save installation costs, it also speeds up the decarbonisation journey and can contribute to the global energy transition in a meaningful way.”
Perovskite-on-silicon solar cells are an emerging PV technology which advocates claim have significantly higher efficiency potential than established silicon solar cells.
Oxford PV previously forecast that perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells have a theoretical maximum efficiency of more than 43 per cent, compared to less than 30 per cent for silicon solar cells.
The company claims it has a clear roadmap to take the technology beyond 30 per cent efficiency and plans to scale up tandem solar cell production to gigawatt volumes within the next few years.
“This achievement comes on the heels of our previous efficiency of 25 per cent on an industrial-size module, reported in January 2024,” said Chris Case, chief technology officer at Oxford PV. “For the past decade, the team has continued to demonstrate the potential for perovskite on silicon tandem solar cells, setting and breaking efficiency records along the way.
“Now, we are taking the next steps to bring this high-efficiency solar technology into commercial use to support our vision of an all-electric future.”
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