Breakthrough solar tech could power next-gen panels to 30% efficiency

Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney have developed a breakthrough solar cell technology that could boost silicon photovoltaic panel efficiency to over 30%, surpassing the typical 20-25% range of current commercial panels. This advancement is achieved by adding a singlet fission layer composed of a robust, photostable organic molecule called dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione (DPND) on top of existing silicon cells. Unlike previous attempts using unstable molecules like tetracene, DPND is compatible with crystalline silicon and scalable manufacturing. The singlet fission process captures high-energy photons and splits them into two excitons that match silicon’s bandgap, effectively doubling the electrical output from these photons and reducing heat generation. Beyond efficiency gains, the technology enables solar panels to operate at temperatures up to 2.4°C cooler, potentially extending their lifespan by about 4.5 years and improving real-time performance since silicon cell efficiency typically declines with heat. This