Perovskite Solar
What are perovskites?
Perovskites refer to a class of materials that share a similar structure, which display a myriad of exciting properties like superconductivity, magnetoresistance and more. These easily synthesized materials are considered the future of solar cells, as their distinctive structure makes them perfect for enabling low-cost, efficient photovoltaics. They are also predicted to play a role in next-gen electric vehicle batteries, sensors, lasers and much more.
How does the PV market look today?
In general, Photovoltaic (PV) technologies can be viewed as divided into two main categories: wafer-based PV (also called 1st generation PVs) and thin-film cell PVs. Traditional crystalline silicon (c-Si) cells (both single crystalline silicon and multi-crystalline silicon) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) cells belong to the wafer-based PVs, with c-Si cells dominating the current PV market (about 90% market share) and GaAs exhibiting the highest efficiency.
Thin-film cells normally absorb light more efficiently than silicon, allowing the use of extremely thin films. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) technology has been successfully commercialized, with more than 20% cell efficiency and 17.5% module efficiency record and such cells currently hold about 5% of the total market. Other commercial thin-film technologies include hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) cells, taking approximately 2% market share each today. Copper zinc tin sulphide technology has been under R&D for years and will probably require some time until actual commercialization.
What is a perovskite solar cell?
An emerging thin-film PV class is being formed, also called 3rd generation PVs, which refers to PVs using technologies that have the potential to overcome current efficiency and performance limits or are based on novel materials. This 3rd generation of PVs includes DSSC, organic photovoltaic (OPV), quantum dot (QD) PV and perovskite PV.
A perovskite solar cell is a type of solar cell which includes a perovskite structured compound, most commonly a hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halide-based material, as the light-harvesting active layer. Perovskite materials such as methylammonium lead halides are cheap to produce and relatively simple to manufacture. Perovskites possess intrinsic properties like broad absorption spectrum, fast charge separation, long transport distance of electrons and holes, long carrier separation lifetime, and more, that make them very promising materials for solid-state solar cells.
Perovskite solar cells are, without a doubt, the rising star in the field of photovoltaics. They are causing excitement within the solar power industry with their ability to absorb light across almost all visible wavelengths, exceptional power conversion efficiencies already exceeding 20% in the lab, and relative ease of fabrication. Perovskite solar cells still face several challenge, but much work is put into facing them and some companies, are already talking about commercializing them in the near future.
What are the advantages of Perovskite solar cells?
Put simply, perovskite solar cells aim to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of solar energy. Perovskite PVs indeed hold promise for high efficiencies, as well as low potential material & reduced processing costs. A big advantage perovskite PVs have over conventional solar technology is that they can react to various different wavelengths of light, which lets them convert more of the sunlight that reaches them into electricity.
Moreover, they offer flexibility, semi-transparency, tailored form factors, light-weight and more. Naturally, electronics designers and researchers are certain that such characteristics will open up many more applications for solar cells.
What is holding perovskite PVs back?
Despite its great potential, perovskite solar cell technology is still in the early stages of commercialization compared with other mature solar technologies as there are a number of concerns remaining.
One problem is their overall cost (for several reasons, mainly since currently the most common electrode material in perovskite solar cells is gold), and another is that cheaper perovskite solar cells have a short lifespan. Perovskite PVs also deteriorate rapidly in the presence of moisture and the decay products attack metal electrodes. Heavy encapsulation to protect perovskite can add to the cell cost and weight. Scaling up is another issue - reported high efficiency ratings have been achieved using small cells, which is great for lab testing, but too small to be used in an actual solar panel.
A major issue is toxicity - a substance called PbI is one of the breakdown products of perovskite. This is known to be toxic and there are concerns that it may be carcinogenic (although this is still an unproven point). Also, many perovskite cells use lead, a massive pollutant. Researchers are constantly seeking substitutions, and have already made working cells using tin instead. (with efficiency at only 6%, but improvements will surely follow).
What’s next?
While major challenges indeed exist, perovskite solar cells are still touted as the PV technology of the future, and much development work and research are put into making this a reality. Scientists and companies are working towards increasing efficiency and stability, prolonging lifetime and replacing toxic materials with safer ones. Researchers are also looking at the benefits of combining perovskites with other technologies, like silicon for example, to create what is referred to as “tandem cells”.
New seed-assisted epitaxial growth strategy enables rapid α-phase perovskite formation for high-efficiency solar cells
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Sichuan University have developed an innovative seed-assisted epitaxial growth strategy to stabilize and enhance the photoactive α-phase in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By introducing pre-synthesized (GABA)2PbI4 single crystals (GABA = Gamma-aminobutyric acid) into the 3D perovskite precursor solution, the team achieved preferential and rapid formation of the black α-FAPbI3 phase at room temperature.
In situ grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) analyses revealed that these (GABA)2PbI4 seeds serve as epitaxial templates, accelerating α-phase crystallization while suppressing the formation of the undesired δ-phase. The key lies in the highly matched lattice constants between the seeds and α-FAPbI3, which reduce the nucleation barrier and guide the film’s vertical orientation.
Halocell and Lava Blue partner to establish an Australian perovskite materials supply chain
Australian advanced materials company Lava Blue has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with solar technology developer HaloCell Energy to establish a domestic supply chain for high-purity perovskite precursor materials. The partnership aims to address cost and availability challenges that have constrained the commercial deployment of next-generation PV technologies.
The non-binding agreement positions Lava Blue to supply specialty chemicals derived from local feedstocks, including mine tailings, to support HaloCell’s commercial-scale roll-to-roll manufacturing of perovskite solar modules designed for drones, satellites, and low-light energy-harvesting applications.
GraphEnergyTech announces strategic progress and funding initiatives
GraphEnergyTech recently shared an update on its recent progress, funding goals, and strategic direction within the solar energy sector.
GraphEnergyTech’s selection for Japan’s Keihanna Global Acceleration Program (KGAP+) marks a significant milestone as the company’s graphene-enhanced carbon electrode technology aligns closely with Japan’s advanced perovskite solar cell ecosystem. A portfolio company of Frontier IP Group PLC (LSE:FIPP, FRA:8WT), GraphEnergyTech is currently raising a minimum of £3 million in a seed funding round. The capital will be used primarily to expand production capacity and accelerate R&D focused on silicon solar cells. However, CEO Dr. Thomas Baumeler noted that the company also has “a solution that fits particularly well with perovskite solar cells.”
Swansea University and Power Roll join forces on new project for PSC characterization techniques
Swansea University is teaming up with Power Roll for a new collaborative project to appraise novel characterization techniques for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The initiative, AI-Enhanced Perovskite Manufacturing using Inline Metrology, Performance Assessment and Characterization Techniques (AI-IMPACT), has won Innovate UK funding.
AI-IMPACT aims to address major capability gaps in inline and end-of-line testing for PSCs at scale and high throughput. Without these advancements, PSC companies could face significant hurdles in achieving product accreditation. The project will deliver new inline testing and characterization tools specifically designed for perovskite devices in manufacturing environments, alongside the development of robust stability guidelines to support industry standards.
TCL Zhonghuan plans to acquire DASOLAR
According to reports, Chinese PV manufacturer TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy Technology (TZE) has disclosed its strategy to acquire a controlling stake in DASOLAR.
The proposed transaction is positioned as a capital-level integration focused on n-type PV technologies across materials, cells, and modules. TZE is identified for its G12 silicon wafer production and advances in n-type wafer thinning and crystal growth processes. DASOLAR, according to TZE, is described as a producer of TOPCon cells and modules with reported industry efficiency records and global shipment rankings in 2024. The companies have already maintained an upstream–downstream partnership within the n-type PV value chain.
New 2D perovskite engineering approach enables record perovskite solar module stability under light, heat, and UV stress
An international team of researchers, including ones from Iritaly Trading Company, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Argonne National Laboratory and Italy-based Greatcell Solar, has reported a co-crystal engineering approach to improve the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells and modules.
The team used a neutral molecule, benzoguanamine, as a linker in low-dimensional perovskites, replacing conventional ionic molecules, to form a co-crystal. By applying this co-crystal layer onto the perovskite layer, they achieved power conversion efficiency of 23.4% in small-area solar cells, and 23.1% and 18.5% on solar modules with active areas of 9.0 cm2 and 48 cm2, respectively. The solar modules retained more than 95% and 98% of their initial efficiency after >5,000 h of 1-sun light soaking and >1,000 h of ultraviolet-ray exposure, respectively, at maximum power point conditions. They also retained more than 91% of their initial efficiency after >5,000 h of continuous thermal stress at 85 °C.
UtmoLight and UNSW to jointly establish International Perovskite Laboratory
UtmoLight has partnered with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to jointly establish an International Joint Perovskite Laboratory.
The laboratory is supported by UtmoLight’s Global Innovation Center and features over 6,000 m² of laboratory space with a professional R&D team of more than 100 researchers. Through the joint lab, the partners will conduct collaborative research on cutting-edge perovskite technologies, build a talent co-development and knowledge-sharing mechanism, and jointly promote the industrialization of perovskite PV technologies.
Trina Solar achieves tech milestone and sets its sights on space PV
Trinasolar has announced that its innovation platform has achieved a critical technological milestone. Setting its sights on Space PV, the platform has reportedly "broken the world record for power output with its large-area (3.1 m²) perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem modules, reaching 886W". This achievement, along with significant efficiency gains in perovskite/P-type heterojunction (HJT) tandem cells, signals a step toward the next generation of space-based energy.
While gallium arsenide (GaAs) cells currently dominate space applications, their high cost remains a barrier. As demand for LEO communications and space computing surges, crystalline silicon cells and perovskite cells are expected to see rapid adoption. In particular, P-type HJT and perovskite tandem technologies have emerged as the primary focus for the next generation of Space PV. Trina solar is executing a forward-looking strategy in the Space Solar sector. The company’s exploration in this field dates back a decade, when it took the lead in conducting irradiation testing and research on silicon solar cells under space-environment conditions. These early initiatives allowed it to accumulate experimental data and engineering experience, providing a foundation for subsequent technical evolution.
Water-mist surface reconstruction strategy boosts efficiency in CsPbBr₃ carbon-based perovskite solar cells
Researchers from China's Xidian University and the China Electronic Product Reliability and Environmental Testing Research Institute recently proposed an efficient and scalable strategy for water-mist-induced surface reconstruction of all-inorganic cesium-lead-bromide (CsPbBr₃) films - one of the most stable and promising halide perovskites for photovoltaic solar cells. While CsPbBr₃ features a high absorption coefficient and simple preparation method, solution-processed films typically suffer from significant surface defects and roughness, resulting in large open-circuit voltage (VOC) loss and limited solar cell efficiency.
To tackle these challenges, the team developed a low-cost, vacuum-free mist chemical vapor deposition (Mist-CVD) system inspired by the Leidenfrost effect, which leverages controlled water-mist interactions to guide perovskite crystallization rather than degradation. Under optimized conditions of 275 °C for 30 minutes, the mist-treated films showed a phase transformation from impurity phases (Cs₄PbBr₆, CsPb₂Br₅) to pure CsPbBr₃, significantly reducing surface roughness from 29.8 nm to 12.7 nm and yielding highly uniform, defect-minimized films.
Closing the Metrology Gap in Advanced Solar Cell Manufacturing
This is a sponsored article by by Sheldon Wayman, Thin Film Sensor Specialist, INFICON
Solar technology demands longer lifetime and higher efficiency with every advancement in process steps and chemistries. Even the smallest deviations in layer thickness or uniformity can have detrimental results to both. Contamination, too, can have devastating effects on lifetime and performance. Monitoring real-time process conditions within the chamber and the optimization layer deposition are both explored within this article. These can be the difference in realizing the successful vision of both improved lifetime and efficiency in the next generation of solar panels.
The Hidden Challenge in Perovskite Solar Cell Production
Perovskite solar cells are celebrated for their high efficiency and flexibility. But behind the scenes, manufacturing these panels is a balancing act of precision in every stage of production. Each organic layer must be deposited with nanometer accuracy and every interface must remain uncontaminated. Detection, analysis, and control are all critical to the manufacturing process.
