A Review on Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells: Current Status and Future Challenges

Abstract

Perovskite/Si tandem solar cells (PSTSCs) have emerged as a leading candidate for surpassing the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) efficiency limit inherent to single-junction silicon solar cells. Following their inaugural demonstration in 2015, perovskite/Si tandem solar cells have experienced remarkable technological progression, reaching a certified power conversion efficiency of 34.9% by 2025. To elucidate pathways for realizing the full potential of perovskite/Si tandem solar cells, this review commences with an examination of fundamental operational mechanisms in multi-junction photovoltaic architectures. Subsequent sections systematically analyze technological breakthroughs across three critical PSTSC components organized by an optical path sequence: (1) innovations in perovskite photoactive layers through component engineering, additive optimization, and interfacial modification strategies; (2) developments in charge transport and recombination management via advanced interconnecting layers; and (3) silicon subcell architectures. The review concludes with a critical analysis of persistent challenges in device stability, scalability, structural optimization and fabrication method, proposing strategic research directions to accelerate the transition from laboratory-scale achievements to commercially viable photovoltaic solutions.