Jakarta, INTI - A research team from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing tandem solar cell technology by combining multiple light-absorbing layers to increase the generated voltage. This approach aims to produce sufficient energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, thereby facilitating eco-friendly hydrogen production.
Wilman Septina, a researcher at BRIN’s Research Center for Electronics (PRE), explained that the use of solar-based hydrogen can serve as a medium for storing solar energy in chemical form. When used as fuel, hydrogen produces only water without greenhouse gas or carbon emissions, making it a crucial solution for supporting the transition to green energy.
Wilman presented the results of his research on the development of tandem solar cell technology for eco-friendly hydrogen production, titled “Tandem Photovoltaic and Photoelectrochemical Devices for Solar Hydrogen Production.” The research focuses on combining two solar-harvesting systems to generate sufficient voltage and current to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
According to Wilman, the water-splitting process requires a specific voltage to proceed autonomously, without relying on a large external power supply. Conventional solar cells generally cannot generate sufficient voltage. Consequently, tandem solar cell technology has been developed as an alternative way to harness solar energy for hydrogen production, creating a low-carbon, clean energy storage medium.
Increasing Hydrogen Production Efficiency
He also highlighted Indonesia's immense potential for developing this technology, given the country's year-round sunlight. However, the fact that solar energy availability depends on weather conditions and time of day remains a challenge that must be addressed through innovations in energy storage technology.
Wilman explained that one of the materials used in this research is the halide perovskite CsPbBr3, which exhibits high light-absorption properties and can generate a relatively high photovoltaic voltage. Furthermore, this material can be processed using solution-based methods, offering the potential to reduce device production costs.
In addition to combining perovskite materials to maximize solar absorption, the research team developed a graphite protective layer to enhance the device's stability and durability during operation in an electrolyte solution.
Moving forward, the research will focus on increasing the efficiency of solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion, extending the device's lifespan, and developing materials and fabrication methods that enable large-scale application. Through this tandem solar cell innovation, BRIN aims to achieve more efficient green hydrogen production using only water and solar energy.
Conclusion
BRIN is developing tandem solar cell technology to produce eco-friendly hydrogen by combining multiple light-absorbing layers, thereby generating sufficient voltage to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This technology harnesses solar energy and stores it as hydrogen, which produces no carbon emissions during use.
Read more: Project Readiness Seen as Key to Accelerating Hydropower Investment and Advancing Indonesia's Energy Transition