The development
Fraunhofer ISE announced the opening of its Pero-Si-SCALE laboratory on 5 May 2026. The facility is intended to help manufacturers transfer perovskite-silicon tandem designs from research cells to larger industrial formats, with work extending to wafer formats up to 210 × 210 mm.
That is a scale-up capability, not a statement that a particular tandem module has completed long-duration outdoor qualification. The distinction matters: equipment, cell efficiency and field reliability answer different questions.
Why encapsulation becomes a design variable
A tandem stack must preserve optical and electrical performance while protecting sensitive interfaces from moisture, oxygen, ultraviolet exposure and temperature cycling. The module adds edge seals, glass or barrier layers, adhesives and interconnection details that are not represented by a small champion cell.
NREL's tandem roadmap identifies advanced encapsulation and moisture barriers as part of the route to durable perovskite-containing modules. These are engineering needs, not proof of a single universal encapsulation recipe or a 25-year field life.
Evidence buyers should request
A useful qualification package names the module construction, sample count, test sequence, exposure duration, pass criteria and measured power before and after testing. Damp heat, thermal cycling and UV exposure should be interpreted against the applicable test protocol and the exact product configuration.
A laboratory result, pilot run, accelerated test and outdoor field record are complementary evidence types. None should be substituted for another without a documented rationale and a clear explanation of what the test does—and does not—demonstrate.
Implications for project teams
For project engineering, the practical question is whether a new module format changes electrical design, mounting loads, fire and safety evidence, replacement planning or warranty assumptions. Procurement should compare the delivered product's datasheet and qualification record rather than infer reliability from a cell-efficiency headline.
The 2026 laboratory opening is a scale-up signal. Bankability still depends on product-specific tests, traceable manufacturing controls and field evidence accumulated over time.
What to watch next
The next meaningful milestones are larger-area module results with named measurement laboratories, repeatable process windows, transparent reliability protocols and dated field data. Until those are reported, service-life claims should remain conditional.
Frequently asked questions
What did Fraunhofer ISE announce in May 2026?
Fraunhofer ISE opened Pero-Si-SCALE, a laboratory intended to transfer perovskite-silicon tandem designs toward larger industrial cell formats and module integration. The announcement describes scale-up infrastructure, not a field-life certification.
Why is encapsulation important for perovskite tandems?
Encapsulation helps limit exposure of sensitive layers and interfaces to moisture, oxygen, UV and temperature cycling. Its performance must be assessed on the specific module construction and test sequence.
Does an accelerated test prove 25 years of outdoor operation?
No. Accelerated tests provide evidence under defined stress conditions; they do not by themselves establish a universal service life. Buyers should review the protocol, sample, acceptance criteria, warranty terms and any available field data.
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