MAROKO133 Eksklusif ai: Perovskite-silicon triple-junction solar cells achieve record-brea

📌 MAROKO133 Update ai: Perovskite-silicon triple-junction solar cells achieve reco

The previous solar efficiency record has now been broken, and this one could have real-world impact. Researchers at EPFL and CSEM have developed a triple-junction solar cell with a certified efficiency of 30.02%.

That pushes past the earlier 27.1% mark and puts a new spotlight on scalable, high-performance designs.

Most record-setting solar cells stay limited to expensive materials or lab conditions.

This device takes a different route. It combines a silicon bottom cell with two perovskite layers built as thin films.

The goal is clear: deliver higher efficiency without making manufacturing impractical.

Record meets real-world

Solar breakthroughs often struggle to move beyond prototypes.

This result stands out because it targets both performance and scalability.

Kerem Artuk, the study’s first author, explained the significance.

“We show that with clever design and processing, we can approach performance levels traditionally reserved for the most expensive III–V multi-junction solar cells used in space, which are composed of multiple semiconductor layers.”

He added that these cells “can reach up to 37% efficiency, and cost around 1,000 times more than terrestrial cells per watt.”

“Our approach opens the door to a new generation of industrially viable, high-efficiency multi-junction photovoltaics.”

That distinction matters for the US solar market. Higher efficiency reduces the number of panels needed for the same output. It also improves returns for both rooftop and utility-scale projects.

Fixing known weak spots

Triple-junction designs promise strong performance, but they come with technical challenges.

The EPFL team focused on two key issues: low voltage in the top cell and weak current in the middle layer.

They introduced a molecule that improves how perovskite crystals form. This step reduces defects and raises voltage in the top cell to 1.4 volts under sunlight.

The middle layer uses a new three-step fabrication method. It improves absorption in the near-infrared range, which carries a large share of solar energy.

The team also added nanoparticles between layers. These particles reflect light back into the middle cell and increase current.

Christophe Ballif highlighted the pace of progress. “Our first demonstration in 2018 had only 13% efficiency, so reaching over 30% efficiency today in a triple-junction device is a remarkable achievement.”

He added, “Triple-junction solar cells have an even higher efficiency potential compared to single junction and tandem – well above 40%.”

Cost remains the biggest barrier for high-efficiency solar cells. III-V semiconductors deliver strong performance but remain too expensive for widespread use.

This new design uses silicon and perovskites, both more affordable and easier to scale.

That combination could make high-efficiency panels more viable across US homes and solar farms.

Christian Wolff pointed to the broader implications.

“This project illustrates the power of combining fundamental science with Swiss engineering know-how,” he said.

“By demonstrating that low-cost perovskite materials can approach the performance of the most advanced space-grade photovoltaics, this research sets a new benchmark for multi-junction photovoltaics.”

The team now plans to focus on durability and large-scale production. If those efforts succeed, this record could translate into practical solar deployments sooner than expected.

The study is published in the journal Nature.

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com

📌 MAROKO133 Update ai: Tesla signs $4.3 billion battery deal with LG to expand US

Tesla has signed a $4.3 billion deal with LG Energy Solution to secure battery cells for its growing energy storage business, as it ramps up domestic production and reduces reliance on imports.

The batteries will be produced at a facility in Lansing, Michigan, originally developed as a joint venture between LG and General Motors before the automaker exited the project.

The plant has since been retooled to manufacture lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, prismatic cells.

The agreement highlights Tesla’s push to expand its energy division, which includes products like Megapack systems used for large-scale electricity storage. These systems help store energy from renewable sources and release it during peak demand.

The deal also aligns with broader U.S. efforts to localize battery supply chains and support domestic manufacturing, particularly as energy demand rises due to data centers and electrification.

Domestic battery push grows

“American-made cells will power Tesla’s Megapack 3 energy storage systems produced in Houston, creating a robust domestic battery supply chain,” the U.S. Department of the Interior said, as reported by Reuters.

The supply agreement was part of a wider set of private sector commitments announced during an Indo-Pacific Energy Security Summit in Japan, where the U.S. government highlighted billions in planned investments.

Tesla has been actively expanding its energy storage business, which is growing faster than its core electric vehicle segment.

According to CNBC, the U.S. automaker’s energy division generated $12.8 billion in revenue last year, accounting for 13 percent of total revenue, even as its automotive segment declined.

The company’s Megapack systems are designed to store large amounts of electricity for grid use, helping utilities manage fluctuating supply from renewable sources like solar and wind.

Energy storage demand surges

LG Energy Solution is positioning itself to capture growing demand in the energy storage sector, particularly as artificial intelligence-driven data centers increase electricity consumption.

According to Bloomberg, the deal underscores LG’s expansion into energy storage systems amid slowing electric vehicle demand and rising competition from Chinese manufacturers.

Tesla has also been looking to diversify its supply chain and reduce exposure to tariffs. The company currently relies heavily on Chinese-made LFP batteries but has been shifting toward localized production in the U.S..

The Lansing facility is expected to begin production soon, with LG planning to install dedicated lines to fulfill Tesla’s order.

A company spokesperson said it “will establish dedicated production lines at our Lansing facility to deliver on this agreement,” CNBC reported.

Industry-wide, battery makers are repurposing electric vehicle production lines to meet rising demand for grid-scale storage.

According to media reports, U.S. data center electricity demand is expected to more than double by 2035, further accelerating the need for energy storage infrastructure.

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com