Advances in solar technology

Prof. Anita Ho-Baillie, based at the University of Sydney, is a trailblazer in solar energy research, in particular, into new solar materials and the integration of these materials into devices. Her work is crucial for advancing renewable energy technologies and supporting Australia’s net zero emissions targets.

Challenge

In a rapidly changing climate the need for more efficient and cost-effective clean energy solutions, such as solar, has never been greater. Traditional silicon solar cells have limitations in efficiency and high production costs, which hinder their widespread adoption. Additionally, achieving Australia’s ambitious net zero emissions targets by 2050 will require significant advances in renewable energy technologies.

Research

Prof. Ho-Baillie’s research focuses on multi-junction solar cells, which offer higher efficiency and lower production costs compared to traditional silicon cells. Solar cells convert solar energy into electricity using semiconductors. While silicon is the semiconductor material being used in the current solar technology, perovskites have emerged as a promising alternative candidate. By stacking perovskite on top of silicon, her team have developed tandem solar cells that achieve over 30% energy conversion efficiency. Hers is one of only eight labs in the world to achieve this. “There isn’t much room for silicon to improve because its theoretical limit is only 30 percent – but for perovskite–silicon tandem, it is 40 percent” said Prof. Ho-Baillie. Another of her materials, a perovskite–CIGS tandem solar cell on a flexible steel substrate achieved a world record-breaking efficiency of 18.1% in April 2024. 

Her team uses a range of electron microscopy techniques, from elemental mapping to atomic scale imaging to understand the structure and composition of the solar cells. This understanding enables improvements in their performance and stability. Her team regularly accesses our University of Sydney facility, Sydney Microscopy and Microanalysis, and were previously major users of our UNSW facility, the Electron Microscope Unit.

Impact

Recognised by Clarivate as one of the worlds most highly cited researchers for five years running, Prof. Ho-Baillie’s innovations in solar technology are paving the way for a cleaner, greener world. She is currently collaborating with SunDrive, a Sydney-based company, to commercialise her perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells. Her work directly supports Australia’s net zero emissions targets by providing cheaper, more flexible and more efficient clean energy solutions.