Ted Sargent from Northwestern University, USA, speaking at the KAUST research conference, said that Saudi Arabia had three critical advantages when it comes to deploying photovoltaic technology. The first is KAUST’s expertise in tandem solar cells.
Researchers in the KAUST Photovoltaics Laboratory (KPV-Lab) of the KAUST Solar Center have produced a perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 33.2% — the highest tandem device efficiency in the world to date, surpassing that of Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin’s (HZB) record at 32.5% PCE.
It reportedly minimizes a solar cell’s reflection loss, while enhancing its light absorption properties. Researchers have found that the current levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for concentrated solar power (CPS) plant in Saudi Arabia could be as low as $0.137/kWh.
Researchers have found that the current levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for concentrated solar power (CPS) plant in Saudi Arabia could be as low as $0.137/kWh. However, combining the tech with PV would significantly enhance the cost competitiveness of CSP.
33.7%! KAUST Team Sets Efficiency Record for Tandem Solar Cell – PVTIME 33.7%! KAUST Team Sets Efficiency Record for Tandem Solar Cell
Cutting-edge research into new technologies for photovoltaic cells, a favorable climate and strong collaborations with industry are key factors in Saudi Arabia’s development of solar power. Saudi Arabia’s hot and sunny climate brings both opportunities and challenges for the expansion of solar energy.