Streamlined perovskite solar cells offer the path to cheaper, more efficient energy
Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have developed a new manufacturing method that improves the efficiency, stability and affordability of perovskite solar cells, moving them closer to commercial viability.
This study, published in ‘Science’, 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 the stability and simplification of the manufacturing process of perovskite solar cells represent an important step forward in making solar energy more accessible and affordable,” said Professor Zhu Zonglong from CityUHK’s Department of Chemistry. Perovskite, the main material in these solar cells, effectively converts sunlight into electricity.
The team’s progress is focused on two innovations. First, they integrated hole-selective materials with the perovskite layers, streamlining the manufacturing process. Second, they have replaced traditional organic materials with an inorganic electron transport layer, tin oxide, which significantly improves the operational stability of the solar cells. “The device structure reported in this study represents the most simplified architecture in the current field of perovskite solar cells,” explains Dr. Gao Danpeng, co-author and postdoctoral researcher at CityUHK. This innovation reduces production costs by eliminating the need for an organic transfer layer, simplifying production.
These developments have resulted in energy conversion efficiency of more than 25%, with the solar cells maintaining an efficiency of more than 95% after 2,000 hours of continuous testing, said Professor Zhu. This performance exceeds that of traditional perovskite solar cells and meets key industry standards for long life.
The findings provide new opportunities for researchers in the fields of materials science and renewable energy, with potential implications for both solar cell manufacturers and consumers. The study also highlights environmental and policy implications, as this research could support the shift to more sustainable energy sources, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote renewable energy.
In the next phase, the CityUHK team plans to scale up the technology by applying this structure to larger perovskite solar panels, with the aim of improving both efficiency and scalability.
This research was conducted in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Imperial College London and reflects global efforts towards sustainable energy solutions. “With the potential to be implemented in solar energy systems within the next five years, this research is a crucial step towards achieving more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy production worldwide,” added Professor Zhu.
Research report:Long-term stability in perovskite solar cells due to deposition of tin oxide in the atomic layer
