Flexibility

High power conversion efficiency (PCE) flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) are highly desired power sources for applications like aerospace and flexible electronics. However, their PCEs still lag far behind their rigid counterparts. To address this issue, researchers from Tsinghua University and National Center for Nanoscience and Technology developed a new fabrication technique that increases the efficiency of FPSCs, paving the way for use of the technology on a much larger scale. The scientists reported a high PCE flexible perovskite solar cell by controllable growth of a SnO₂ electron transport layer through constant pH chemical bath deposition (CBD). 

The team developed a new chemical bath deposition (CBD) method of depositing tin oxide (SnO₂) on a flexible substrate without requiring a strong acid, which many flexible substrates are sensitive to. The new technique allowed the researchers more control over tin oxide growth on the flexible substrate. Tin oxide serves as an electron transport layer in the FPSC, which is critical for power conversion efficiency.

Researchers from Hanyang University, Nankai University and Kookmin University have developed a room-temperature-processed tin oxide (SnO₂) ETL preparation method for flexible perovskite quantum dots (PQD) solar cells. Low-temperature ETL deposition methods are especially desirable for fabricating flexible solar cells on polymer substrates.

The process involves synthesizing highly crystalline SnO₂ nanocrystals stabilized with organic ligands, spin-coating their dispersion, followed by UV irradiation. The energy level of SnO₂ is controlled by doping gallium ions to reduce the energy level mismatch with the PQD. 

Eight mini-modules of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization's (CSIRO) printed flexible solar cells were attached to the surface of Australia-based space transportation provider Space Machine Company’s Optimus-1 satellite, that was sent into orbit from the United States as part of Elon Musk’s Space X’s Transporter-10 mission.

A statement from the national science agency following the launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California explained that it is exploring such solar cells as a reliable energy source for future missions. Eight mini-modules of the printed flexible solar cells were attached to the surface of Optimus-1.

Researchers at the University of Victoria in Canada and Solaires Enterprises have designed a flexible perovskite solar cell with an active area of 0.049 cm² based on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate and a reactant known as phenyltrimethylammonium chloride (PTACl) in ambient air fabrication.  Tested under standard illumination conditions, the flexible perovskite device achieved a power conversion efficiency of 17.6%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.95 V, a short-circuit current density of 23 mA cm⁻², and a fill factor of 80%.

The team explained that PET is cheaper than commonly utilized polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) in substrates for flexible solar cells, with the latter having however the advantage of being more thermally stable during the production process. PET, by contrast, has a maximum temperature tolerance of 100 C and can tolerate deposition procedures under this threshold. For this reason, the research group chose a cell architecture with a substrate made of PET and indium tin oxide (ITO), an electron transport layer (ETL) based on tin oxide (SnO₂), a methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI₃) perovskite absorber, a Spiro-OMeTAD hole-transporting layer (HTL), and a gold (Au) metal contact.

Japanese engineering company JGC Holdings has stated its plans to commercialize (by 2026) bendable perovskite solar cells that can be installed on curved surfaces, such as chemical tanks, shop walls or domed buildings.

JGC plans to use perovskite solar cells developed by EneCoat Technologies, a Kyoto University startup in which it has a stake. As a first step, the company will test the solar cells on the roof of a warehouse in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, next year. The aim is to start large-scale power generation by 2026, with projected sales of tens of billions of yen (10 billion yen equals $66.7 million) targeted for 2030.

This is a sponsored post by Ergis Group

In 2020, Poland-based Ergis Group launched the noDiffusion film platform, a high-barrier film that offers high level of optical transmittance and low level of light scattering, and the ability to contain transparent conductive electrodes. The new technologies adopted in the production of the barrier films offer a combination of high performance and competitive pricing.

Following years of R&D, Ergis is ready to enter production with its first-gen barrier films, produced using sputtering in a roll-to-roll (R2R) configuration. The company reports performance of around 10^-4 wtr performance for its barrier. This is referred to as a "light-barrier" and one that is more than enough for the encapsulation of perovskite materials. The company collaborated with Poland-based Saule Technologies to develop this specific film. Ergis is now shipping barrier film samples to its customers.

It was reported that Sekisui Chemical, a Japanese plastics maker, will begin mass production of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in an effort to catch up with Chinese competitors.

The company will invest more than 10 billion yen (over USD $68 million) to build a new manufacturing facility with an annual production volume of several hundred thousand square meters by 2030.

A collaborative effort by researchers from the Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE), Department of Electronic Engineering at Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy, the Department of Textile Engineering at the University of Guilan, Iran, GreatCell Solar Italia, Institute of Crystallography (IC-CNR), Italy, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies at the University of Salento, Italy and Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR NANOTEC), Italy, has resulted in the development of flexible perovskite solar cells with remarkable power conversion efficiencies (PCE) under white LED illumination.

The team achieved a maximum PCE of 28.9% at an illuminance of 200 lx and a record of 32.5% at 1000 lx, essentially converting a third of the incoming power (note that under 1 sun this figure for perovskite technology is less, i.e. one quarter).

India-based P3C Technology and Solutions has announced a fund raise of $250,000 with a further commitment of $3 million based on successful trails. The funds will be used to demonstrate the flexible perovskite solar cells to various government and private bodies like Indian Railway and automobile manufacturers. 

According to P3C, the investment comes from Oberoi Thermit Private Limited, a company with an impressive history of introducing new and innovative products and services which are highly beneficial for Railways. The organization is always looking to introduce new and improved technologies in India which can benefit the country. They are responsible for the introduction of some of the most safety critical technologies in Indian Railways like 3D Scanning of Bridge bed, Bridge Health Monitoring, Vehicular Ultrasonic Testing of rails, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing of welds amongst other things. 

Researchers at University of Rome “Tor Vergata”'s CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy) and CNR-ISM Institute of Structure of Matter have deposited flexible perovskite solar modules without using toxic solvents, via blade coating in ambient air. 14% PCE was reportedly obtained through the optimization of coating parameters and the use of additives. 

The scalable ambient air deposition of perovskite solar devices remains a major challenge of this technology. In addition, toxic solvents are regularly used in perovskite layer deposition, which can damage the environment and endanger the safety of potential production lines. In this recent work, the team managed to address these issues and fabricate sustainable flexible perovskite solar modules (flex-PSMs), in which all layers were deposited via a blade coating in ambient air without the usage of toxic solvents.