Dresden, 19 June 2024 – Sunmaxx PVT, a leading developer and manufacturer of photovoltaic-thermal solar modules, and Oxford PV, a producer of high-efficiency tandem solar cells, announced the launch of “Solar Hammer,” the most innovative solar PVT module to date. This partnership marks the first use of perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells in a photovoltaic thermal module, enabling a very high conversion efficiency. Both the cells and the modules are produced in Germany.
Sunmaxx’s PVT modules combine proven thermal management technology from the automotive industry with photovoltaics, leading to a total conversion efficiency of 80%, certified by Fraunhofer ISE. Oxford PV’s perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells have broken multiple records for conversion efficiency at the cell level and were recently used to create, the world’s most efficient full-size tandem module so far, with 25% efficiency also certified by Fraunhofer ISE. In combination, these technologies enable more usable electricity and heat to be generated from the sun’s energy, meaning the “Solar Hammer” modules will be well-suited for complete decarbonization. The new module comes at a record efficiency of 26.6% electrical and 53.4% thermal efficiency, totaling 80% overall efficiency on aperture area level of 1.63 m2. The electrical power of the module with 6×10 M6 cells is 433 W, surpassing the previous record of Fraunhofer ISE.
With all major components produced in Germany, the “Solar Hammer” represents a step forward to increasing European competitiveness in solar PV technologies. PVT and especially perovskite-on-silicon cells are undergoing rapid technological development worldwide due to their potential for efficiency breakthroughs. The use of both technologies in a single module marks an important benchmark toward their broader deployment. The technology shall be commercialized in the next 12 to 18 months. Oxford PV will supply the cells from their manufacturing line in Brandenburg an der Havel, while Sunmaxx will produce the “Solar Hammer” modules at their 50MW factory in Ottendorf-Okrilla.
“This partnership symbolizes the most innovative parts of Germany’s solar industry coming together,” commented David Ward, CEO of Oxford PV. “The development of these high-efficiency modules is not only important for accelerating the energy transition, but also for ensuring that Europe’s solar industry is setting the pace on commercialization of technologies where we have a competitive advantage.”
Wilhelm Stein, CEO of Sunmaxx, stated, “We believe this technology will be valuable for homeowners, businesses and municipalities looking to meet their decarbonization goals quickly, and that this partnership will be valuable for Germany’s solar industry. Oxford PV and Sunmaxx are aligned by a common goal— helping fill the gap in Germany and Europe’s green industrial production, promoting technological innovation, and creating a future where every city and industry can be powered by renewables.”