Oxford PV debuts commercial solar module with record 26.9% efficiency

20 Jun 2024

Module measuring 1.6 m², weighing 25 kg, is specified for residential applications.

Oxford PV, a developer of solar photovoltaic technology, is claiming a new world record in solar module efficiency with its latest product that is specified for residential deployments.

The UK-based firm’s new 60-cell residential-size module, produced with Oxford PV’s own perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells, achieves “an unprecedented efficiency of 26.9%”, surpassing the current best silicon modules which typically achieve 25% efficiency with a similarly-specified module area.

The breakthrough double-glass module, with a designated area just over 1.6 m², weighs under 25 kg and is a suitable specification for residential applications. The efficiency was independently measured and certified by the Fraunhofer CalLab.

Manufacturing in Germany

Oxford PV produces the proprietary high efficiency tandem solar cells at its manufacturing facility in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany, and uses both in-house and contract services for the module assembly.

David Ward, CEO, commented, “Oxford PV’s record-setting module represents a significant advancement for solar power generation. Homeowners along with commercial and utility customers will benefit from upwards of 20% more power with the same footprint. Not only does this save installation costs, it also speeds up the decarbonisation journey and can contribute to the global energy transition in a meaningful way.”

Chris Case, CTO, added, “This achievement follows our previous efficiency achievement of 25% on an industrial-size module, which we reported in January 2024. For the past decade, our team has continued to demonstrate the potential for perovskite on silicon tandem solar cells, setting and breaking efficiency records along the way. Now, we are taking the next steps to bring this high-efficiency solar technology into commercial use to support our vision of an all-electric future.”

Oxford PV is this week exhibiting its solar technology at Intersolar Europe, in Munich, Germany, (June 19 – 21). The company plans to scale up its manufacturing of tandem solar cells to gigawatt volumes within the next few years, to address the multi-terawatt market needs.