UNSW researchers achieve 12.6% efficiency in kesterite solar cells through defect control

Australian researchers demonstrated a defect-engineering technique that suppresses copper migration in CZTS perovskite solar cells, reaching 12.6% certified efficiency and suggesting a pathway for improving tandem photovoltaic designs.

First covered Aug 18, 2026 · 4:02 AM PT · 2 articles

UNSW researchers achieve 12.6% efficiency in kesterite solar cells through defect control — Image via pv-magazine.com

Coverage

4h PV Tech UNSW team reaches 12.4% efficiency for CZTS solar cells by preventing copper drift during manufacturing — UNSW has achieved a 12.4% efficiency and record voltage for CZTS solar cells by reducing defects through improved copper-sulphur bonding.

19h PV Magazine UNSW researchers build 12.6%-efficient kesterite solar cell with lower open-circuit voltage losses — UNSW researchers developed a defect-engineering strategy for wide-bandgap CZTS solar cells that suppresses copper out-diffusion and harmful defects, achieving…

Related coverage

1d PV Magazine Chinese scientists achieve record-breaking 24.0% efficieny for meter scale perovskite solar modules

More coverage from around the web

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Defect Control for 12.5% Efficiency Cu2 ZnSnSe4 Kesterite Thin-Film Solar Cells by Engineering of Local Chemical Environment - PubMed

researchgate.net (PDF) Defect Control for 12.5% Efficiency Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 Kesterite Thin-Film Solar Cells by Engineering of Local Chemical Environment

acap.org.au Solving the efficiency challenge in kesterite and other emerging earth-abundant solar cells

nature.com Formation pathway of high-efficiency kesterite solar cells fabricated through molecular ink chemistry | Nature Energy

unsw.edu.au World record photovoltaic efficiency achieved for kesterite solar cell

Appeared in: 2026-08-19 (#1)

← Back to the brief