PolyU researchers drive commercialisation of energy-efficient solar cell technology towards 40% efficiency milestone | The Hong
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:34
PolyU researchers drive commercialisation of energy-efficient solar cell technology towards 40% efficiency milestone | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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Prof. Li Gang (left), Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy, and Prof. Yang Guang (right), Assistant Professor, both of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, have conducted a critical review of the challenges and future prospects of perovskite/silicon TSCs.
Third-generation solar cell technology is advancing rapidly. An engineering research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has reported a breakthrough in their review of p
erovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs)
, focusing on addressing challenges that include improving efficiency,
stability and scalability
. The team has
conducted a comprehensive analysis of TSC performance and
provided
strategic
recommendations, which aim to raise the energy conversion efficiency of this new type of solar cell from the current maximum of approximately 34% to around 40%. The team hopes to accelerate the commercialisation of p
erovskite/silicon
TSCs through industry-academia-research collaboration, while aligning with the Nation’s strategic plan of carbon peaking and neutrality and promoting the development of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence through renewable energy.
The research team
comprises leading scholars including
Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy
, and
Prof. YANG Guang, Assistant Professor
,
both
of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
They conducted a critical review of the challenges and future prospects of perovskite/silicon TSCs. Their review article, “
Towards efficient, scalable and stable perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells
”, has been published in the international journal
Nature Photonics
.
Tackling stability and manufacturing challenges
“While lab-scale devices have shown impressive efficiency advancement, further efforts are needed to improve their reliability, including minimising efficiency losses from
small-area devices
to
large-area
modules,” said
Prof. Li Gang
. “Special focus should
also
be given to ensuring that the manufacturability of materials and methods aligns with industrial standards.
”
To address these issues,
Prof. Yang Guang and
the team has highlighted several critical technical challenges. First, the intrinsic instability of perovskite materials under environmental stresses such as moisture, oxygen, ultraviolet light and thermal fluctuation remain a major challenge. Secondly, translating tandem devices to commercial-scale modules requires overcoming hurdles related to uniformity, defect control and large-area fabrication. Although preliminary outdoor testing of
p
erovskite/silicon
TSCs
has been conducted, certified data on their long-term reliability remain scarce. To better assess the actual lifetime and commercial potential of these cells, the researchers recommend rigorous accelerated stability testing based on standardised procedures outlined by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Additionally, while perovskite raw materials are relatively low-cost, the use of rare elements and heavy metal lead in most cell designs raises significant environmental and regulatory concerns. The research therefore advocates for the development of sustainable alternatives, along with efficient recycling or lead sequestration strategies to enable viable commercialisation.
Promoting industry-academia-research collaboration to accelerate deployment and drive cost reduction and efficiency gains
The
PolyU team advocates for industry-academia-research collaboration through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates material science, device engineering and economic modelling to advance this promising photovoltaic technology. “The development of efficient and reliable perovskite/silicon TSCs must address these remaining scientific challenges to achieve lower levelised electricity costs,” said
Prof. Yang Guang
. “The team hopes this
research review
will facilitate the transition of the technology from laboratory studies to commercial fabrication, while closely aligning with
the Nation
’s
strategic plan of carbon peaking and neutrality
. By providing a stable supply of high-efficiency renewable energy, we aim to deliver green and reliable power support for high-energy-consuming industries such as artificial intelligence, thereby helping to achieve a low-carbon transformation of the energy structure.
”
***END***
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繁體
简体
Education
Education
Teaching and Learning
Broad-based Curriculum for Holistic Academic Development
Work-Integrated Education
Service-Learning
Student Exchange
Leadership Programme
Faculties, Schools and College
Graduate School
College of Undergraduate Studies
Admissions
Admissions
Why PolyU
Study@PolyU
University Ranking
Student Stories
Programmes, Tuition Fees and Scholarships
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
Research
Research
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR)
Mainland Translational Research Institutes
State Key Laboratories and Chinese National Engineering Research Centres (HK Branches)
State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities
State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology
Hong Kong Branch of National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction
Hong Kong Branch of National Rail Transit Electrification and Automation Engineering Technology Research Centre
University-level Research Centres and Facilities
Faculty/School/Department-level Research Centres
University Research Facilities
Centralised Animal Facilities
University Research Facility in 3D Printing
University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience
University Research Facility in Big Data Analytics
University Research Facility in Chemical and Environmental Analysis
University Research Facility in Life Sciences
University Research Facility in Materials Characterization and Device Fabrication
InnoHK
Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR)
Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab)
Research Centre for Intelligent GRID and Energy Technologies (I-GET)
Graduate School
Research and Innovation Office
PolyU Scholars
Academicians and Distinguished Scholars
PolyU Scholars Hub
Knowledge Transfer
Knowledge Transfer
Innovation and Technology Development
Technology Transfer and Commercialisation
Entrepreneurship
Success Stories
Global
Global
International Community
Global Perspectives in Academic Programmes
International Collaborations and Partnerships
Eyes on China
Campus Life
Campus Life
Athletics and Recreation
Art and Culture
Living on Campus
Counselling and Wellness
Clinics and Centres
Housing
Dining
About PolyU
About PolyU
PolyU at a Glance
Motto, Vision and Mission
Key Facts
University Identity
History
University Committee Structure
Leadership
Governance
Organisations
Campus Map
Photo Gallery
Video Channel
Publications
Alumni
Current Students
Staff
Start main content
Prof. Li Gang (left), Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy, and Prof. Yang Guang (right), Assistant Professor, both of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, have conducted a critical review of the challenges and future prospects of perovskite/silicon TSCs.
Third-generation solar cell technology is advancing rapidly. An engineering research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has reported a breakthrough in their review of p
erovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs)
, focusing on addressing challenges that include improving efficiency,
stability and scalability
. The team has
conducted a comprehensive analysis of TSC performance and
provided
strategic
recommendations, which aim to raise the energy conversion efficiency of this new type of solar cell from the current maximum of approximately 34% to around 40%. The team hopes to accelerate the commercialisation of p
erovskite/silicon
TSCs through industry-academia-research collaboration, while aligning with the Nation’s strategic plan of carbon peaking and neutrality and promoting the development of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence through renewable energy.
The research team
comprises leading scholars including
Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy
, and
Prof. YANG Guang, Assistant Professor
,
both
of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
They conducted a critical review of the challenges and future prospects of perovskite/silicon TSCs. Their review article, “
Towards efficient, scalable and stable perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells
”, has been published in the international journal
Nature Photonics
.
Tackling stability and manufacturing challenges
“While lab-scale devices have shown impressive efficiency advancement, further efforts are needed to improve their reliability, including minimising efficiency losses from
small-area devices
to
large-area
modules,” said
Prof. Li Gang
. “Special focus should
also
be given to ensuring that the manufacturability of materials and methods aligns with industrial standards.
”
To address these issues,
Prof. Yang Guang and
the team has highlighted several critical technical challenges. First, the intrinsic instability of perovskite materials under environmental stresses such as moisture, oxygen, ultraviolet light and thermal fluctuation remain a major challenge. Secondly, translating tandem devices to commercial-scale modules requires overcoming hurdles related to uniformity, defect control and large-area fabrication. Although preliminary outdoor testing of
p
erovskite/silicon
TSCs
has been conducted, certified data on their long-term reliability remain scarce. To better assess the actual lifetime and commercial potential of these cells, the researchers recommend rigorous accelerated stability testing based on standardised procedures outlined by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Additionally, while perovskite raw materials are relatively low-cost, the use of rare elements and heavy metal lead in most cell designs raises significant environmental and regulatory concerns. The research therefore advocates for the development of sustainable alternatives, along with efficient recycling or lead sequestration strategies to enable viable commercialisation.
Promoting industry-academia-research collaboration to accelerate deployment and drive cost reduction and efficiency gains
The
PolyU team advocates for industry-academia-research collaboration through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates material science, device engineering and economic modelling to advance this promising photovoltaic technology. “The development of efficient and reliable perovskite/silicon TSCs must address these remaining scientific challenges to achieve lower levelised electricity costs,” said
Prof. Yang Guang
. “The team hopes this
research review
will facilitate the transition of the technology from laboratory studies to commercial fabrication, while closely aligning with
the Nation
’s
strategic plan of carbon peaking and neutrality
. By providing a stable supply of high-efficiency renewable energy, we aim to deliver green and reliable power support for high-energy-consuming industries such as artificial intelligence, thereby helping to achieve a low-carbon transformation of the energy structure.
”
***END***
We use Cookies to give you a better experience on our website. By continuing to browse the site without changing your privacy settings, you are consenting to our use of Cookies. For more information, please see our
Privacy Policy Statement
.
Your browser is not the latest version. If you continue to browse our website, Some pages may not function properly.
You are recommended to upgrade to a newer version or switch to a different browser. A list of the web browsers that we support can be found
here
What are you looking for?
Internal Document Search
Popular Search
Undergraduate Admission
Postgraduate Admission
Scholarships
Financial Assistance
Service-Learning
Rankings
Internship
Entrepreneurship
Greater Bay Area
MOOCs
Clinics
Campus Map
Finance Office
Human Resources Office
Library