TOP-SET Seminar - Three-terminal perovskite/silicon tandems: Perks and challenges
An NSERC CREATE TOP-SET Seminar
Nov 25, 2024 — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
A talk on three-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells.
Event details
Three-terminal perovskite/silicon tandems: Perks and challenges
Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) technology plays a pivotal role in achieving the global goal of affordable and clean energy by 2050. Silicon cell technology, driven by continuous advancements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness, dominates 97% of global PV production but is now approaching its theoretical efficiency limit of 29.4%. In response, perovskites have emerged as a promising material for tandem architecture with silicon, opening new pathways for low-cost, high-performance PV applications. In this context, three-terminal (3T) perovskite/silicon tandems, free from current-matching constraints, provide an attractive opportunity to achieve higher energy yields than the well-known two-terminal tandems. This seminar will explore the main challenges of 3T tandems, from cell-level engineering - such as optimizing the middle contact and refining perovskite deposition processes - to system-level issues like high-efficiency module interconnection. Overcoming these challenges is crucial to fully unlocking the potential of this technology, making 3T-tandem competitive in next-generation solar energy devices.
Guest speaker
Gemma Giliberti
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Gemma Giliberti is a postdoctoral researcher at Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), Italy. She earned her PhD in 2023 and her master’s degree in electronic engineering in 2019, both from POLITO, following her bachelor’s degree from the Università degli Studi di Palermo in 2016, where she first explored photovoltaics through her thesis on c-Si heterojunction cells. Her research in the field of photovoltaic energy focuses on developing low-cost, high-efficiency three-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. A key aspect of her work involves utilizing multi-scale models that integrate physics-based simulations, TCAD tools, and circuit simulations through Py-Spice. This approach aims to improve the efficiency and scalability of these solar cells while supporting their experimental development. In addition to her research, Gemma has served as a teaching assistant and mentor in both academic and industry-related projects. Beyond academia, she co-founded a sports association in Turin, which raises funds for multiple sclerosis research.
Funding
This seminar is funded by the University of Ottawa.