Researchers from the National University of Singapore, the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore, and Chinese solar manufacturer JinkoSolar have achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 32.76% for a perovskite silicon tandem solar cell based on a TOPCon bottom device.
The result was certified by the National Photovoltaic Industry Metrology Test Center in China, marking one of the highest reported stabilised efficiencies for monolithic perovskite TOPCon tandem solar cells.
The research addresses a key challenge associated with industrial standard TOPCon silicon wafers, which typically have a thickness of around 130 µm. These wafers exhibit reduced thermal mass and higher thermal conductivity, leading to rapid heat transfer during processing. This often causes uncontrolled crystallisation of the perovskite layer, resulting in voids and defects that limit overall device performance.
To overcome this constraint, the research team developed a novel crystallisation control strategy focused on the organic components of the perovskite material rather than the conventional focus on inorganic lead ions. The approach involves introducing a 2 mercaptobenzothiazole ligand into the precursor solution used to form the perovskite film.
This ligand enables dual mode binding through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction, stabilising intermediate phases and slowing the crystallisation process. As a result, the team achieved a compact and uniform perovskite layer with significantly reduced defects on industrial silicon wafers.
The top perovskite cell incorporates multiple layers including indium tin oxide, nickel oxide based hole transport material, a self assembled monolayer, the perovskite absorber, surface treatment, and electron transport layers based on C60 and tin oxide. The bottom silicon cell was manufactured using commercially viable TOPCon processes on Czochralski monocrystalline silicon wafers.
Under standard test conditions, the tandem device achieved a peak efficiency of 33.62% with an open circuit voltage of 1.97 V. The cell also demonstrated strong operational stability, retaining 91% of its initial efficiency after 1700 hours of continuous operation under maximum power point tracking at room temperature and 85% relative humidity.
The study highlights the commercial relevance of the innovation, noting that the organic crystallisation control strategy can be directly applied to large area, high throughput solution processing. This positions the technology for seamless integration into existing silicon solar manufacturing lines.
The findings were published in the journal Nature Energy under the title ‘Additive Assisted Perovskite Crystallisation on Industrial TOPCon Silicon for Tandem Solar Cells with Improved Efficiency.’ Researchers say the work provides critical insights for advancing the industrial adoption of high efficiency perovskite silicon tandem technologies.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
February 26, 2026
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