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 crystal-modifying agent called piracetam could enable scalable and efficient all-perovskite tandem solar cells
Researchers from Wuhan University, South China Normal University and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have explained that while all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) offer exceptional performance and versatile applicability, a significant challenge persists in bridging the power conversion efficiency (PCE) gap between small- and large-area (>1 cm2) devices, which presents a barrier to the commercialization of all-perovskite TSCs.
Now, the team introduced a specialized crystal-modifying agent, piracetam, tailored for wide-bandgap perovskites, homogenizing top wide-bandgap subcells and enabling the construction of efficient large-area TSCs.
GCL Perovskite wins 1.13 MW perovskite module bid from China Huaneng
GCL Perovskite, the perovskite R&D and manufacturing arm of GCL Group, has won a bid to supply 1.13 MW of perovskite modules to a project initiated by the Clean Energy Technology Research Institute under China Huaneng.
The tender covers 3,528 modules with a peak power of 320 Wp each, with dimensions of 2,005 × 1005mm, totaling 1.12896 MWp. The modules will be used in Phase II of a solar PV pilot demonstration project located in the southern part of the Kubuqi Desert.
New antisolvent-seeding strategy improves the performance of flexible tandem solar cells
Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Xuancheng Kaisheng New Energy Technology Company and Tianjin Institute of Power Sources have found a way to make flexible tandem solar cells more efficient and durable by enhancing the adhesion of top layers to the bottom layers of the cell.
Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) is a commercial semiconductor known for its outstanding adjustable bandgap, strong light absorption, low-temperature sensitivity, and superior operational stability, making it a promising candidate for bottom-cell use in next-generation tandem solar cells. Flexible perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells combine a top layer of perovskite with a bottom layer of CIGS. This tandem cell holds great potential for lightweight, high-efficiency applications in the photovoltaic field but the rough surface of CIGS makes it difficult to produce high-quality perovskite top cells on top, which limits the commercial prospects of these tandem cells.
RenShine Solar secures multiple international certifications
RenShine Solar has announced that it has recently obtained additional CQC and UL certifications, as well as JP-AC registration. This follows its full suite of TÜV Rheinland IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 certifications for product safety and reliability
The CQC certification, which integrates both Chinese and IEC international standards, reportedly covers the full industry chain and confirms the modules' durability under specific environmental conditions. The UL certification verifies that RenShine’s modules meet North American market standards for fire resistance, electrical safety, and reliability. The JP-AC registration certifies the modules' high power generation efficiency, grid compatibility, and seismic performance, qualifying them for the Japanese market.
Sekisui Chemical joins Fukuoka City initiative to promote the use of perovskite solar cells
Sekisui Chemical and its subsidiary, Sekisui Solar Film, which specialize in the design, manufacturing, and sales of film-type perovskite solar cells, recently announced that they will participate in Fukuoka City’s initiative to introduce next-generation solar technology.
The project advocates the early adoption of film-type perovskite solar cells in urban buildings, including municipal facilities, to explore their potential. Through ongoing demonstration and implementation, the initiative aims to establish a new model for urban energy self-sufficiency and expand the application of the technology in the future. The demonstration period will last for one year.
New eco-friendly method helps fabricate perovskite solar cells by incorporating a fluoride additive into a water-based solution
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have developed an eco-friendly method to fabricate perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by incorporating a fluoride additive into a water-based solution. This approach eliminates the use of toxic solvents typically required in PSC production, while achieving power conversion efficiencies above 18%.
The team introduced lead(II) fluoride (PbF2) into the water-based precursor solution to regulate crystal growth dynamics and improve film quality. The fluoride additive accelerated the formation of the photoactive phase and promoted the crystallization orientation, both critical for efficient solar energy conversion.
LONGi hits 34.85% efficiency in perovskite tandem PV technology
LONGi has once again announced a new efficiency record for its proprietary dual terminal perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell - 34.85%, certified by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
LONGi’s research team is on a roll. In November 2023, they increased cell efficiency to 33.9%. Then, in June 2024, they pushed it up to 34.6%. And now, in less than a year, they’ve catapulted it to 34.85%.
Premier Energies partners with RENA Technologies to develop perovskite solar cell technologies
Premier Energies has partnered with Germany-based RENA Technologies for next-generation solar cell technologies. The collaboration will focus on optimizing wet chemical processes for N-Type solar cells and spearheading the development of wet chemistry solutions for silicon/perovskite tandem technology.
"This landmark collaboration brings together Premier Energies' large-scale manufacturing capabilities with RENA’s advanced wet chemistry and equipment solutions. Together, the companies aim to push the frontiers of high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing, targeting breakthroughs in cell performance, production throughput, and sustainable manufacturing processes," Premier Energies said in a recent exchange filing.
University of Queensland team reports 16.65% efficiency for lead-free perovskite solar cells
Researchers at The University of Queensland have reported a 'new world record efficiency for lead-free perovskite solar cells'.
A team led by Professor Lianzhou Wang, based at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and the School of Chemical Engineering, achieved a breakthrough certified efficiency of 16.65% using tin-based perovskite - a non-toxic alternative to the lead typically used in next-generation solar cells.
New tBP-free approach improves stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells
Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Gyeongsang National University (GNU) and University of Ulsan explain that in spiro-OMeTAD-based hole-transporting layer (HTL) protocols, 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP) is an indispensable component; however, its inclusion leads to substantial detrimental effects, hindering thermal stability.
Recently, the team developed a tBP-free spiro-OMeTAD approach by substituting ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolyte for tBP. The electronegative carbonyl functionality led to the formation of a solvation complex with Li+ ions, addressing the solubility concern of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) in chlorobenzene even without tBP.
