1. Why module efficiency is crucial

The module efficiency describes what proportion of the irradiated solar energy is converted into electrical energy. It directly influences the space requirements, the economic efficiency and the electricity production costs of photovoltaic systems.

Silicon modules currently used in commercial use usually achieve values ​​between 21 and 23 percent. Rising Efficiencies make it possible to generate more electricity on the same area or to use fewer modules with the same yield.

2. Technological foundations for higher performance values

A key approach to increasing performance lies in multilayer solar cells. In these concepts, different semiconductor layers each absorb certain spectral ranges of sunlight, thereby reducing losses.

The focus is particularly on perovskite-silicon tandem cells. In addition, advances in contacting, cell interconnection, light management and surface structure improve the usable electricity yield.

An additional research focus is on the industrial feasibility of these technologies. These include scalable manufacturing processes, stable material combinations and long-lasting encapsulation concepts that enable use under real operating conditions. Only when high performance values ​​are combined with reliability, service life and economical series production can technological advances be translated into marketable photovoltaic products.

3. Solar cells about to make a leap in performance – research assessment

Research sees high efficiencies as technically achievable, but sets clear requirements for industrial feasibility and stability.

Prof. Andreas Bett, head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, explains:

“The combination of new material systems and optimized cell architectures opens up realistic opportunities to achieve efficiencies of over 35 percent. It will be crucial to implement these technologies in an industrially scalable and stable way in the long term.”

The statement underlines that the decisive step lies not only in achieving new laboratory records, but also in transferring these concepts into reliable series processes. From a research perspective, new cell architectures must prove their performance over their entire lifespan under real environmental conditions. Only when high efficiencies are combined with industrial reproducibility, stable supply chains and calculable costs can they have an impact on the large-scale photovoltaics market.

4. Impact on market and expansion paths

Higher efficiencies could further improve the economic viability of photovoltaics. Fewer modules required reduce material and installation costs and open up new application possibilities. Performance improvements are becoming increasingly important, particularly for roof systems and locations with limited space. Large solar parks also benefit from reduced space and infrastructure requirements.

In addition to cost advantages, higher efficiencies also change the strategic planning of new photovoltaic projects. Project developers can achieve yield goals with more compact facility layouts, which can simplify approval processes and reduce land conflicts.

At the same time, the attractiveness of photovoltaics is increasing in urban areas, on industrial sites or when retrofitting existing buildings. This means that the expansion paths are increasingly shifting from pure area expansion to a more performance-oriented use of existing locations.

5. Outlook to the middle of the century

The expected performance increases for solar cells are the result of decades of basic and application research. However, whether efficiencies beyond the 35 percent mark actually find their way into the broader market depends less on individual laboratory successes than on the technical maturity of the concepts. Stable material systems, reproducible manufacturing processes and reliable quality across large production volumes are crucial.

Another key factor remains the cost development. New cell architectures must not only prove themselves technically, but also be economically competitive. Only if higher efficiencies can be achieved without significant additional costs or increased risks of failure will manufacturers be willing to adapt existing production lines or build new production capacities. Integration into established industrial processes is therefore considered just as important as the gain in efficiency itself.

If this combination of technical performance, industrial scalability and economic viability is successful, the role of photovoltaics in the energy system should continue to consolidate. Higher performance values ​​increase electricity yields per area, reduce resource requirements and make it easier to integrate renewable generation into existing networks. This means that photovoltaics could make an even more central contribution to a climate-neutral, resilient energy system by the middle of the century.