German Research Improves Solar Cells

Together with his team, Professor of Physics Michael Saliba, the director of the Institute for Photovoltaics at the University of Stuttgart, has come up with a technology that could revolutionize solar power production.

The key is tandem solar modules in which silicon cells are covered with an ultra-thin layer of perovskite, a natural semiconductor that can be industrially produced from metal salt and applied in liquid form.

Whereas conventional silicon cells primarily use of the red parts of the sunlight spectrum, perovskite is also capable of generating electricity from blue and green light waves. That has allowed researchers to produce almost the tenfold amount of power.

“With this, we can transform sunlight into sustainable energy considerably more efficiently,” Saliba told business periodical manager magazin.

Saliba was awarded a 2021 Curious Mind Researcher Award in the category “materials and active components” for his work.