Articles tagged with "perovskite-solar-cells"
Octopus molecule saves perovskite solar cells from oxygen
Perovskite solar cells, promising for their high efficiency, low cost, and lightweight nature, have been hindered by rapid degradation caused by oxygen trapped inside the cells. When sunlight generates energetic electrons in the perovskite layer, these electrons react with oxygen to form superoxide radicals, which aggressively damage the organic molecules that maintain the crystal structure. This degradation often initiates at the interface between the perovskite and the tin-dioxide layer, a critical junction for electron extraction. Conventional encapsulation methods fail to fully prevent this damage because oxygen is often trapped during manufacturing and tin dioxide surfaces contain oxygen-related defects that facilitate internal degradation. A recent study by researchers from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology introduces an innovative solution inspired by marine biology: an ultrathin layer of taurine, a sulfur-containing amino acid found in octopus and squid, placed at the vulnerable perovskite/tin dioxide interface. Taurine
energyperovskite-solar-cellsantioxidantstaurineoxygen-protectionclean-energysolar-technologyPerovskite-Silicon Solar Cells Are Heading For The Mass Market
The article discusses the imminent commercialization of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, highlighting their potential to significantly advance the solar energy market. Perovskites, synthetic materials mimicking a natural mineral, are fragile alone but, when layered on traditional silicon cells, combine silicon’s durability with enhanced efficiency and lower costs. This tandem approach is poised to boost solar conversion efficiency beyond current silicon-only panels, which have been the industry standard since 1954. With utility-scale solar and wind energy already the most cost-effective new energy sources in the U.S., the introduction of perovskite-enhanced solar cells promises further cost reductions and efficiency gains, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy. A key advantage of perovskite-silicon tandem cells is their higher efficiency—currently around 29% and expected to surpass 30% soon—meaning less land is required for solar installations. This efficiency improvement translates into lower costs for land acquisition, site preparation, and maintenance, while also enabling innovative
energysolar-energyperovskite-solar-cellsrenewable-energysilicon-solar-cellsclean-energyenergy-efficiencyRobot rovers to cars: 7 solar innovations shaping the future energy shift
At CES 2026, solar technology showcased a significant evolution beyond traditional rooftop panels, emphasizing adaptability, automation, and integration into diverse environments. Key innovations included Jackery’s “Living Solar” ecosystem featuring the Solar Mars Bot, a mobile rover with retractable solar panels that autonomously tracks sunlight for optimal energy capture, and the Solar Gazebo, a fixed outdoor structure with a louvered solar roof producing up to 10 kWh daily. These systems highlight how automation can enhance solar efficiency while simplifying user interaction. Other standout technologies focused on expanding solar’s applicability and ease of installation. Blue Device introduced nanoparticle solar smart windows that generate power and dynamically tint without internal wiring, reducing building energy use by 20-40% and cutting installation costs by over half. BiLight Innovations presented a rollable perovskite photovoltaic curtain that functions as both a shading device and power source, demonstrating flexible, lightweight solar materials suitable for indoor and low-light conditions. Additionally, Dracula Technologies unveiled the LAYER®
robotsolar-energyautonomous-systemsenergy-harvestingsmart-windowsperovskite-solar-cellsflexible-solar-technologyNew 3D-printed solar cells for windows offer semi-transparency
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed innovative semi-transparent, color-tunable solar cells that can be 3D-printed directly onto windows, building façades, and flexible surfaces. Unlike traditional bulky solar panels, these cells offer designers the flexibility to create either slightly transparent windows or vibrant, color-tinted architectural features. The key advancement lies in the use of 3D-printed microscopic polymer pillars that act as precise optical gates, controlling light transmission without altering the solar material’s chemistry. This eco-friendly manufacturing process avoids harsh heat and toxic chemicals, enabling production on flexible substrates like plastics and foils. The team addressed aesthetic concerns common with solar glass by adjusting the thickness of a transparent electrode layer, allowing the cells to reflect specific wavelengths and produce vivid colors akin to stained glass, while still permitting light to generate electricity. These flexible solar cells demonstrated a promising balance of 9.2% power conversion efficiency and 35% transparency, making them suitable for functional windows. They also showed durability under
energysolar-cells3D-printingsemi-transparent-solar-panelsperovskite-solar-cellsflexible-solar-technologyeco-friendly-manufacturing3D nanoscale imaging reveals charge flow in perovskite solar cells
Researchers at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed a novel three-dimensional electrical imaging technique using tomographic conductive atomic force microscopy (TC-AFM) to directly observe charge transport within perovskite solar cell films at the nanoscale. This method sequentially removes ultrathin layers from the film while measuring local electrical conductivity, enabling reconstruction of a 3D map of charge flow. This approach addresses a key challenge in perovskite photovoltaics: internal microscopic defects that disrupt charge transport, reduce efficiency, and compromise long-term stability, which traditional diagnostic tools fail to fully capture. Applying TC-AFM, the researchers compared untreated films with those treated by bulk and surface passivation strategies designed to mitigate defects. Untreated films showed extensive low-conductivity regions, especially along grain boundaries, while bulk passivation significantly reduced these resistive areas throughout the film interior. Surface passivation mainly improved conductivity near the top interface, important for electrode
energyperovskite-solar-cellsnanoscale-imagingcharge-transportmaterials-sciencephotovoltaicsatomic-force-microscopyTin-based perovskites could be used to make stable, eco-friendly solar cells
Researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the University of Potsdam have investigated ion densities in four common perovskite compounds used for solar cells, discovering that tin-based perovskites produced with an alternative solvent exhibit significantly lower ion density—only one tenth that of lead-based perovskites. This lower ion density correlates with enhanced stability, as mobile halide ions are a primary cause of degradation in perovskite solar cells. The team found that tin perovskites degrade five times slower than lead-based ones, with one tin perovskite variant showing excellent operational stability for over 600 hours. The tin perovskites were synthesized using different solvents, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and a DMF-DMI solvent mixture, the latter helping to avoid tin oxidation and reduce ion migration. Lead-based perovskites exhibited the highest ion density, while tin-lead mixtures and tin-only perovskites
energyperovskite-solar-cellstin-based-perovskitesphotovoltaic-technologysemiconductor-materialssolar-energymaterial-stabilitySimple salt additive gives perovskite solar cells 22.3% efficiency
Researchers at University College London have demonstrated that adding the salt guanidinium thiocyanate to perovskite solar cells significantly enhances their power conversion efficiency and stability. This salt controls the crystallization process during fabrication, resulting in smoother, more uniform perovskite layers with fewer defects, which improves performance and longevity. The team achieved a notable efficiency of 22.3% in mixed tin-lead perovskite cells, approaching the best reported values for this material class and comparable to commercial silicon solar panels. The study highlights that incorporating guanidinium cations into the perovskite structure not only boosts efficiency but also enhances the optoelectronic properties and stability of various perovskite compositions. The researchers emphasize that using this salt in the bottom layer of tandem solar cells could push efficiencies even higher, potentially surpassing current world records. This method offers a straightforward, scalable approach to fine-tuning perovskite films, paving the way for more efficient,
energyperovskite-solar-cellssolar-energypower-conversion-efficiencymaterials-sciencerenewable-energycrystal-formationJapan's firm develops new plasma method for perovskite manufacturing
Japan’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) has developed a novel plasma-based method called Reactive Plasma Deposition (RPD) to manufacture the electron transport layer (ETL) in perovskite solar cells. This layer is crucial as it facilitates electron flow from the perovskite to the electrode. Unlike traditional ETL fabrication methods that involve high temperatures, harsh particles, or toxic gases—often damaging the fragile perovskite material—SHI’s RPD deposits ultra-thin tin oxide (SnO₂) films at low temperatures using non-hazardous gases. This approach is reportedly 200 times faster and costs only about 0.5% of current ETL manufacturing expenses, making it safer, more environmentally friendly, and highly suitable for mass production. While the technology represents a significant breakthrough by enabling low-cost, scalable, and damage-minimized ETL production, SHI acknowledges challenges remain, such as high material costs and handling flammable or toxic precursor gases,
energyperovskite-solar-cellsplasma-depositiontin-oxidephysical-vapor-depositionsolar-energysemiconductor-materialsIndoor solar cells deliver six times more energy with perovskite tech
Researchers from University College London (UCL), in collaboration with teams from China and Switzerland, have developed perovskite-based indoor solar cells that achieve a record-breaking efficiency of 37.6% under typical indoor lighting conditions (1000 lux), which is about six times higher than current commercial indoor solar cells. These cells are engineered to overcome perovskite’s main limitation—structural defects called traps that impede electron flow and reduce performance over time—through a three-part chemical treatment involving rubidium chloride and two organic ammonium salts (DMOAI and PEACl). This approach promotes uniform crystal growth and stabilizes the material’s ions, significantly enhancing both efficiency and durability. The new solar cells demonstrated remarkable stability, retaining 92% of their efficiency after 100 days and 76% after 300 hours of intense light exposure at 55°C, outperforming untreated cells substantially. This durability suggests these cells could power small indoor electronics such as remote controls, keyboards, and sensors for
energyperovskite-solar-cellsindoor-solar-energymaterials-scienceInternet-of-Thingsrenewable-energybattery-replacement-alternativesChina’s new solar material fixes key flaw in perovskite design
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a novel self-assembling radical-based molecular material that addresses a critical weakness in perovskite solar cells: the unstable hole-transport layer (HTL). This layer, essential for moving positive charges after light absorption, has traditionally been fragile, expensive, and difficult to fabricate uniformly at large scales, limiting the commercial viability of perovskite solar technology. The new "double-radical self-assembled molecule" forms a smooth, defect-free film without complex processing, significantly improving carrier-transport rates and stability under operational conditions. Solar cells incorporating this material demonstrate virtually no performance degradation even after thousands of hours of continuous use, marking a major step toward scalable, roll-to-roll manufacturing of perovskite panels. The breakthrough, led by researchers including Qin Chuanjiang and Wang Lixiang, has received efficiency certification from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), validating the innovation internationally. This advancement could accelerate China's ability to
solar-energyperovskite-solar-cellsmaterials-sciencehole-transport-layerrenewable-energymolecular-materialsenergy-efficiency