CIRCULAR-PV Explores Synergies with TANDEM Project 

The CIRCULAR-PV project has initiated preliminary interactions with the CETPartnership project TANDEM, titled “Low-cost sustainable high-efficiency tandem solar cells” and led by TNO. These early discussions aim to explore potential joint activities between the two projects, focusing on advancing high-efficiency, sustainable photovoltaic technologies. 

The TANDEM project (01/12/2024 – 36 months) aims to develop low-cost, high-efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. TANDEM focuses on optimizing PERC bottom-cell technology, employing solution-processed perovskite top cells, reducing the use of critical raw materials, and ensuring scalable production for industrial adoption. The project targets bifacial tandem performance 14% higher than single-junction bifacial PERC, translating into PV system cost reductions of over 8%, while addressing TRL advancement, industrial scalability, and environmental sustainability. 

TNO, with a long track record in high-efficiency silicon PV technology and semi-transparent perovskite cell development, will add the perovskite cell stack to the silicon bottom-cell half-fabricates, finalize the tandem cells, and produce mini-modules in collaboration with SALD. This expertise reinforces the potential impact of cooperation between CIRCULAR-PV and TANDEM on next-generation, sustainable PV technologies. 

Engagement with TANDEM provides CIRCULAR-PV an opportunity to align strategies on circularity, resource efficiency, and advanced perovskite module design, while fostering collaboration with a complementary European project. These preliminary discussions are the first step toward shared research activities, joint knowledge exchange, and potentially coordinated demonstration efforts. 

For more information on TANDEM, visit the CETPartnership website. 

Learn more about TNO at www.tno.nl/en.