For Mass Production of Next-generation Solar Cells
Hanwha Q CELLS of Hanwha Solutions will participate in an R&D project for mass production of next-generation solar cells supported by the European Union (EU).
The project is intended to build a perovskite-crystalline silicon tandem cell test production line at the Hanwha Q CELLS Global R&D Center in Thalheim, Germany and uses it for research and development.
Tandem cells are made by placing layers of perovskite over silicon layers. They have high potential power generation efficiency, as they can additionally absorb the segment of the light spectrum that cannot be absorbed by silicon single cells, which currently account for more than 90 percent of the global solar power market. The theoretical limit efficiency of tandem cells estimated by the academic world is 44 percent, which is about 1.5 times higher than silicon single cells’ theoretical limit efficiency of 29 percent.
The project aims to mass-produce high-efficiency tandem cells for four years from November 2022 to 2026 and develop equipment, processes and materials for manufacturing tandem cell-based modules. Hanwha Q CELLS’ unique Q.Antum cell manufacturing technology will be applied to establishing a tandem cell production line using lower cells to develop process technology to minimize efficiency loss when tandem cells are made into modules.
A total of 17 photovoltaic companies including Hanwha Q CELLS and research institutes in Europe will participate in the consortium.
This project is promoted to realize the EU’s renewable energy transition goals through the commercialization of high-efficiency tandem cells. Hanwha Q CELLS plans to roll out tandem cells based on the research results of this project after June 2026.