Breakthrough solar cells reach 38% efficiency in low indoor light

Scientists at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan have developed a new type of perovskite solar cell (PeSC) that achieves a remarkable 38.7% power conversion efficiency (PCE) under low indoor lighting conditions of around 2,000 lux, typical of office environments. While traditional silicon solar cells perform better under direct sunlight (up to 26% PCE), these perovskite cells excel in dimmer settings, producing energy even on cloudy days or indoors. The PeSCs are thin, lightweight, flexible, and semi-transparent, offering advantages over rigid and heavy silicon panels, which are limited to flat, durable surfaces. The researchers enhanced the solar cells by adjusting the bandgap through molecular composition changes in the perovskite layers, enabling efficient absorption of indoor light—a capability not achievable with silicon cells. This breakthrough suggests potential applications for powering small devices in indoor or low-light environments, reducing reliance on traditional power sources and expanding solar technology use beyond outdoor