U.S-based retail solar brand Grape Solar has announced that it will be going into the perovskite PV R&D field, as it appointed Dr. Leon Dong as its head of the newly formed Solar Technology Research Center (STRC) in Eugene, Oregon.  

"This is a historical moment for us. Solar technology has improved significantly in the last decade, from efficiency and cost point of view, however, little has changed in terms of its form factor. The market demands for more flexible, lightweight, even more colorful solar products. We envision a future that would bring these kinds of technology to live in the next few years as the industry advances, and Grape Solar wants to excel in bringing new and improved technology products to our customers by making them in the United States. To achieve this goal, we need many young talents. Leon possesses the scientist mindset in the purest sense, which is rare to find these days." Commented Ocean Yuan, CEO of Grape Solar.

Researchers from Japan's Tokyo Institute of Technology, University of Oxford in the UK and Colorado State University in the U.S have shown that α-FAPbI₃, a promising solar cell material with a cubic perovskite structure that is metastable at room temperature, can be stabilized by introducing a pseudo-halide ion like thiocyanate (SCN^–) into its structure. The recent findings provide new insights into the stabilization of the α-phase via grain boundary and pseudo-halide engineering.

A material with good photophysical properties that has recently gained momentum is α-formamidinium lead iodide or α-FAPbI₃ (where FA⁺ = CH(NH₂)₂⁺), a crystalline solid with a cubic perovskite structure. Solar cells made of α-FAPbI₃ exhibit a remarkable 25.8% conversion efficiency and an energy gap of 1.48 eV. Unfortunately, α-FAPbI₃ is metastable at room temperature and undergoes a phase transition to δ-FAPbI₃ when triggered by water or light. The energy gap of δ-FAPbI₃ is much larger than the ideal value for solar cell applications, making the preservation of the α-phase crucial for practical purposes. To overcome this problem, the team of researchers, led by Associate Professor Takafumi Yamamoto from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), has recently presented a new strategy for stabilizing α-FAPbI₃.

According to reports, Panasonic is planning to sell windows made of “power-generating glass”, with perovskite solar cells integrated into transparent panes, to deliver power for homes. The module reportedly has a conversion efficacy of 17.9%, which is said to be the second highest worldwide for a perovskite cell larger than 800 sq. centimeters, ( after China’s UtmoLight - 18.6%).

Panasonic has been developing the cells since 2014 but only recently completed a test project, which consisted of installing the innovative glass on the balcony of a model home in its smart-town project in Kanagawa prefecture.

UNSW Sydney has received more than AUD$6 million (around USD$3,850,000) in the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Research Awards (DECRA) round for 2024. Among the recipients are two perovskite-oriented projects.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) is supporting 200 new early career research projects with more than $86 million in funding for this 2024 round. Fourteen of the 200 projects have been awarded to early career researchers at UNSW.

Japanese electronics giant, Toshiba, has reportedly achieved a power conversion of 16.6% for a 703cm² polymer film-based perovskite solar module.

Toshiba representatives were quoted saying that the Company has provided large film-based perovskite PV module as experimental materials for demonstrations, probably referring to a project conducted at the Aobadai station in Yokohama that includes analyzing indoor performance.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have developed a cost-effective method for creating bio-inspired solar devices that could improve the performance of perovskite solar technology. The team drew inspiration from cell membranes, the protective barriers around cells in all living organisms.

The researchers combined perovskite solar cell material with a synthesized version of natural lipid biomolecules to help protect against moisture-induced degradation. These biomolecules are fatty or waxy materials that don’t dissolve in water. The biomolecules formed a membrane-like layer around the perovskite, boosting stability and efficiency in tests. The approach could have a great impact on how perovskite solar cells are designed.

Researchers from the Netherlands' Eindhoven University of Technology, TNO, TNO/Holst Centre and Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES) have designed a monolithic perovskite-PERC tandem solar cell that utilizes a new type of tunnel recombination junction (TRJ) based on indium tin oxide (ITO), nickel(II) oxide (NiO), and carbazole (2PACz).

The scientists explained that TRJs are usually based on ITO and 2PACz alone, and that the addition of the NiO layer is intended to reduce electrical shunts in the perovskite top cell, due to the inhomogeneity of the 2PACz layer on ITO.

Researchers from The University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and University of Technology Sydney have demonstrated efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) on steel substrates.

The team explained that steel, being flexible and conductive, can itself can act as both a substrate and an electrode for either large-area-monolithic-panel or smaller-area-singular single-junction or multi-junction cell fabrication. The reported cells could be used for building-integrated PV (BIPV), vehicle-integrated solar (VIPV), or other design-integrated photovoltaics for terrestrial or space applications.

Power Roll, a developer of lightweight flexible solar films, recently announced a £1 million funding round led by Maven Capital Partners. Power Roll has been doing work on perovskites combined with its patented low-cost and high-resolution conductive surfaces Microgrooves technology.

The transaction comprised two investments from Maven-managed regional funds including a £750,000 investment from the North East Development Capital Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, and a £250,000 investment from the Finance Durham Fund, established by Durham County Council and overseen by Business Durham.

Solaires Entreprises Inc. is a Canadian solar energy startup based in Victoria, BC., who has developed perovskite materials and photovoltaic (PV) modules, designed for integration into IoT devices, small consumer electronics, and smart gadgets. Powered by indoor light, the cells are extremely efficient, modular, and are configurable to suit the application.

Dr. Sahar Sam is Solaires Chief Science Officer, and she was kind enough to answer a few questions we had about Soliares. Dr. Sam holds a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from Shiraz University and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Victoria. 

Hello Dr. Sam! We'll be happy to get a short introduction to Solaires, the technology, and products.

Founded in 2020 in Victoria, BC, Solaires Entreprises Inc is at the forefront of the next generation of photovoltaics, targeted for both outdoor light and indoor light, by harnessing the promise of perovskites. Our perovskite photovoltaics are light, thin and made of readily available and low cost materials.