Streamlined perovskite solar cells offer path to cheaper, more efficient energy

Streamlined perovskite solar cells offer path to cheaper, more efficient energy

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 11, 2024

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have developed a new fabrication method that enhances the efficiency, stability, and affordability of perovskite solar cells, bringing them closer to commercial viability.

Published in ‘Science’, this study highlights how a simplified device structure designed by the CityUHK team could pave the way for future industrial-scale production of perovskite solar cells, improving their reliability and reducing costs.

“The improvements in stability and the simplification of the production process of perovskite solar cells represent a significant step forward in making solar energy more accessible and affordable,” said Professor Zhu Zonglong from the Department of Chemistry at CityUHK. Perovskite, the key material in these solar cells, effectively converts sunlight into electricity.

The team’s advancements focus on two innovations. First, they integrated hole-selective materials with the perovskite layers, streamlining the manufacturing process. Second, they replaced traditional organic materials with an inorganic electron transport layer, tin oxide, which significantly improves the solar cells’ operational stability. “The device structure reported in this study represents the most simplified architecture in the current field of perovskite solar cells,” explained Dr. Gao Danpeng, a co-author and postdoctoral researcher at CityUHK. This innovation reduces production costs by eliminating the need for an organic transfer layer, simplifying manufacturing.

These developments have resulted in power conversion efficiencies exceeding 25%, with the solar cells maintaining over 95% efficiency after 2,000 hours of continuous testing, according to Professor Zhu. This performance surpasses that of traditional perovskite solar cells, meeting key industry standards for longevity.

The findings offer new opportunities for researchers in materials science and renewable energy, with potential impacts for solar cell manufacturers and consumers alike. The study also emphasizes the environmental and policy implications, as this research could support the shift toward more sustainable energy sources, reducing fossil fuel reliance and promoting renewable energy.

In the next phase, the CityUHK team plans to scale up the technology by applying this structure to larger perovskite solar modules, aiming to enhance both efficiency and scalability.

This research was conducted in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Imperial College London, reflecting the global effort toward sustainable energy solutions. “With the potential to be implemented in solar energy systems within the next 5 years, this research is a critical step towards achieving more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy production globally,” added Professor Zhu.

Research Report:Long-term stability in perovskite solar cells through atomic layer deposition of tin oxide