Solar panels have advanced in efficiency, lifetime, and resistance, even though we have hardly innovated in materials. These days, we are reminded of the potential of monocrystalline silicon, and then it is time to talk about perovskite. However, a group of scientists has turned them around with a new material that will multiply their benefits: we show it to you.
Perovskite solar panels, a revolution for the photovoltaic sector that will make it easier for us all
Perovskite solar cell is an emerging technology for manufacturing solar cells based on an unusually three-dimensional material called perovskite. The name originated from the structural form of the original substance-calcium-titanium-oxide- found in the Ural Mountains and commemorated to Russian mineralogist–Lev Perovski.
Perovskite solar cells are thin films made of inexpensive and quite simple perovskite materials. The light-absorbing layer is just like the transparent silicon layer, which functions exactly the same way as traditional solar cells.
However, they are characterised with a special optoelectronic manner which is favorable for the efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity. The simplest and common perovskite solar cells currently use lead-containing perovskite materials.
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One of the reasons why perovskite solar cells are a better solution for producing electricity is the possibility to combine them in a two-layered configuration with silicon cells where they complement each other perfectly.
This cooperation ensures that, in total, the tandem cell has better performance with the efficiency greater than the efficiency produced by either cell independently. Tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells have several key advantages.
- The proliferation of tandem cells would far surpass efficiencies from existing silicon or perovskite cells which are nearly 30%.
- With only a thinning perovskite film in a tandem perovskite cell, less lead and other materials are needed compared to in thicker standalone perovskite cells.
- Tandem cell technology can be used as part of an N-type PV cell manufacturing process that is compatible with the prevailing industry trends.
- Lower sensitivity to temperature variations can appear – the perovskite top cell also builds efficiency stability in high temperatures.
The future of tandem solar panels: these are the projects that are going to change everything
Joint perovskite – silicon cells can be considered as the next-generation solar technology that has gone through a great development in recent years.
In 2022, it was reported by scientists at Oxford PV that perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell that was designed to convert sunlight into a new efficient record of 29.2% had been made at a special scientific conference.
By doing that their record was broken, and a new record was established which is 29.1% held by Oxford PV also. The creation of this perovskite-silicon tandem technology was the main goal of the institution, and the ideas look very promising for their mass production.
The firm is targeting to achieve 30% gains in short-term. The cells are equipped with a perovskite layer being placed on top of a high-performance silicon solar cell, which allows for reaching a broader segment of the solar spectrum.
Further companies are devoting to manufacturing perovskite and silicon tandem solar cells. Such as, due to Polish company Saule Technologies, which previously reached a record-high 27.6 % efficiency for their tandem cell.
At this point, one idea should be clear: solar panels will not always be made of silicon; there are other materials with which we must innovate. Perovskite has a new ally that we have known about for years, but we did not know how it could help us. As you have seen, it has enormous potential when it comes to guaranteeing the conductivity and efficiency that we need so much.