The race to accelerate the transition to renewable energy is heating up, and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are emerging as a game-changing technology in this effort. While challenges like manufacturing bottlenecks, material sourcing issues, and significant investment needs have slowed the pace of solar adoption, PSCs offer a promising solution. Their potential to deliver high efficiency, low production costs, and scalability could revolutionize the solar energy industry.
Traditional solar panels rely on crystalline silicon (c-Si) as the primary semiconductor material, which has dominated the market for decades. However, the multi-step manufacturing process of c-Si is energy-intensive and expensive. Thin-film solar technologies provide an alternative but often fall short in efficiency and market penetration. As the cost of conventional solar panels stabilizes, achieving further reductions requires a major scientific breakthrough—and perovskite solar cells could be that breakthrough.
Research into perovskite solar cells has intensified because of their remarkable ability to deliver low-cost, high-efficiency energy solutions. These next-generation cells use metal halide perovskite as a semiconductor, offering a simpler and less energy-intensive manufacturing process than silicon. Dozens of companies are now racing to address the engineering challenges that remain, including enhancing durability, efficiency, and scalability for commercial use.
If successful, perovskite solar cells could meet the durability expectations of at least 25–30 years while maintaining high conversion efficiency, making them a viable contender to lead the global transition to renewable energy.
What Is Perovskite?
Perovskites are a versatile family of materials prized for their exceptional compositional flexibility and are now being utilized in cutting-edge technologies like memory chips, ultrasound machines, and perovskite solar cells. These materials, such as methylammonium lead halide perovskites and all-inorganic cesium lead halide, are cost-effective to produce, making them appealing for a range of applications.
What Is A Perovskite Solar Cell?
The photons in the sunlight hit the perovskite absorbers, freeing electrons and creating movement toward the Hole Transporting Layer. That transports the electrons to the conductor, creating power. The electrons are then collected by the Electron Transporting Layer. Unfortunately, some excited electrons might fill holes instead of powering the load in a process known as surface recombination.
One of the significant advantages is the potential simplicity in the perovskite solar cell manufacturing process because this perovskite-based material can be printed on at low temperatures, creating thinner and lighter solar modules. Researchers are examining how perovskite can be modified to create the ideal electrical, physical, and optical properties for various applications.
One variation of perovskite is perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, which combine crystalline silicon and a perovskite layer. The c-si substrate harnesses long wavelengths, and the perovskites harness short wavelengths. The perovskite tandem cell architectures feature a wide bandgap and show high-performance characteristics.
In a matter of years, perovskite solar cell technology has increased from 4% to 30% efficiency. Much of the research into PSCs is supported by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.
How Do Perovskite Solar Cells Work?
The working principle of perovskite solar cells is based on their ability to convert sunlight into electricity using a special material called perovskite. A perovskite solar cell works by converting sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. They use a thin layer of perovskite material, typically a hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halide-based compound, as the light-absorbing layer. When sunlight hits the perovskite layer, it generates electron-hole pairs, creating an electric current. The charge carriers then move to the electrodes, producing electrical energy. Perovskite solar cells have shown promise due to their low cost and ease of manufacturing.
How Do Perovskite Solar Panels Compare To Silicon Solar Panels?
Currently, about 90% of solar panels use silicon as a semiconductor. However, manufacturers cannot process silicon semiconductors in a solution bath because of potential defects in the crystal structure, which can hinder functionality. Perovskites are very fault-tolerant and can be processed from a solution to make a semiconductor ink coating. Likewise, a perovskite solar cell is also very lightweight and flexible, which is an attractive quality for many solar power applications, such as drones and car roofs.
Yet, silicon solar cells have proven reliable and have a lifespan of 25 – 30 years. Furthermore, even lower-quality solar panels on the market degrade at about 0.8% annually, so at 20 years, the solar panel still has more than 80% of its original capacity. By contrast, perovskite solar cells have significant long-term efficiency and power output issues, but further research can help overcome this.
What Are The Hurdles Of Widespread Perovskite Solar Cell Adoption?
PSCs have shortcomings compared to silicon solar cells, and these need to be addressed to make them more commercially viable than photovoltaic technology, which currently dominates the market. Addressing these issues is critical for perovskite solar cell technology to reach its full potential.
Solar Cell Durability
It is critical to address the long-term performance issues for perovskite solar cells to have the lifespan and durability necessary for commercial viability. Currently, perovskite solar cells show a lack of stability under real-world applications due to degradation in ambient conditions and have a lifespan of just 2.5 years. Therefore, solar energy researchers are investigating ways to develop a stable perovskite solar cell by preventing decomposition and extending their lifespan.
Efficiency of a Perovskite Solar Cell
Although the power conversion efficiency of PSC has increased dramatically in recent years, the products need to be durable, stable, and have the potential for large-scale manufacturability. However, continued improvement in perovskite solar technology could create both highly efficient and durable solar cells that outperform silicon-based products.
Manufacturing Perovskite Solar Cells At Scale
Most of the lab-scale production approaches for perovskite solar cells are not easy to scale up, and low-cost, high-throughput manufacturing processes are essential to reach their full potential. Developing scalable manufacturing approaches that enable mass production is essential for commercial viability. However, roll-to-roll production is a common approach for manufacturing thin-film solar, and research is needed to determine if it is also practical for perovskite solar cells.
Environmental Performance of Perovskite Solar Panels
Lead or other heavy metals are commonly used in making perovskite materials. For example, hybrid perovskite solar cells often have hybrid organic-inorganic lead materials in the active layer. Researchers are examining ways to eliminate the use of heavy metals or at least seal in the lead, reducing human and eco-toxicity concerns. Addressing such issues will enable PSC to be more sustainable.
Existing Testing Protocols May Need To Be Redesigned
There is concern in the research community that there are no consistent parameters and standards for conducting tests and that tests may not be accurate for PSC. Therefore, it can be challenging to compare data between tests and properly understand degradation mechanisms. Standardized protocols are needed for assessing and reporting the stability of perovskite solar cells.
Benefits of Perovskite Solar Cells
Although there are many hurdles to overcome for PSC to gain a significant market share, perovskites are a promising material.
Highest recorded efficiency: Perovskite solar cells have surpassed traditional silicon technology in efficiency, achieving over 30% conversion rates compared to silicon's maximum of 25%. This record-breaking efficiency is due to the unique optical and electronic properties of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials. Continued research and development are further enhancing the potential of PSCs to revolutionize the solar energy sector.
Low cost: Perovskite solar cells offer significant cost advantages due to their simple and energy-efficient manufacturing process. Unlike silicon-based panels, perovskites can be produced at room temperature using printing or coating techniques, minimizing energy consumption. With further optimization in production methods, the cost of perovskite solar cells is expected to decline, making them a competitive alternative.
Lightweight & versatile: They are remarkably thin and lightweight, making them ideal for applications beyond traditional solar panels, such as in aerospace, portable devices, and vehicles. The versatility of perovskite solar cells allows for easy integration into various surfaces, broadening their potential use cases. This lightweight nature supports solar deployment in challenging environments where traditional silicon panels are impractical.
Low temperature coefficient: Unlike many a traditional solar cell, a perovskite solar cell maintain strong performance under high temperatures. Their lower temperature coefficient means they lose less efficiency in hot conditions, making them well-suited for regions with extreme heat. This feature enhances the appeal of perovskite solar cells in hot climates, where conventional panels often struggle to maintain efficiency.
Sustainability potential: The development of perovskite solar cells also aligns with global sustainability goals. Innovations such as tandem perovskite-silicon designs are improving energy output and reducing the land and material use required for solar installations. As production scales up in 2024, perovskite solar cells could contribute significantly to a greener energy future.
Disadvantages of Perovskite Solar Panels
While perovskite solar cells are a promising technology with potential breakthroughs in efficiency and cost, they face several significant challenges that limit their market readiness and widespread adoption.
Stability Issues: One of the primary disadvantages of perovskite solar cells is their susceptibility to environmental factors such as moisture, oxygen, and UV light. Perovskite solar cells can degrade quickly when exposed to these elements. Researchers are working on encapsulation techniques to improve stability, but this adds to manufacturing complexity and costs.
Toxicity Concerns: Most perovskite solar cells use lead as a key component, raising environmental and health concerns. The potential for lead leakage during manufacturing, use, or disposal poses challenges for commercialization, especially in residential applications. Scientists are exploring lead-free alternatives, but these have not yet reached the same levels of efficiency or stability as their lead-based counterparts.
Manufacturing Scalability: While perovskite solar cells are touted for their low production costs and potential scalability, transitioning from laboratory prototypes to large-scale manufacturing remains a hurdle. Achieving uniformity, minimizing defects, and maintaining high efficiency in mass production are significant challenges. Additionally, scaling manufacturing processes while maintaining the low temperature and energy advantages of perovskites is an ongoing area of research.
Temperature Sensitivity: Although perovskite solar cells have a low temperature coefficient for energy efficiency, their structural integrity can suffer at high temperatures, especially without robust encapsulation. This limits their deployment in extreme climates or applications where sustained high temperatures are a factor.
When Can I Buy Perovskite Solar Panels?
Perovskite solar cell technology is now entering the commercial market, with Oxford PV leading the way. The company, a pioneer in perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar technology, started manufacturing these advanced panels at its Brandenburg, Germany, factory in 2024. These perovskite solar panels, which boast an impressive 24.5% module efficiency, are already being deployed in utility-scale projects in the United States. The technology reduces land use and the levelized cost of electricity by generating more energy from the same area compared to traditional silicon panels.
While Oxford PV's initial focus is on utility-scale applications, they plan to expand into specialty products and pilot residential markets in the near future. Large-scale production of perovskite solar panels may take additional time as the company scales its operations further. This marks a significant step forward in making perovskite solar cells commercially viable and accessible
Keep An Eye On Perovskite Solar Cells In Coming Years
Perovskite solar cell technology is on the brink of transforming the renewable energy market. With efficiency rates surpassing 30% in laboratory settings and continued breakthroughs in material stability and manufacturing scalability, PSCs are gaining momentum. Major players like Oxford PV have begun production in 2024, signaling that these advanced solar cells are inching closer to widespread adoption.
Research and development into perovskite materials remain robust, supported by institutions like the NREL and the Department of Energy. This momentum suggests that perovskite solar cells may soon challenge silicon's dominance, offering more efficient, affordable, and versatile solutions. With their potential for lightweight designs and improved performance in various conditions, perovskite solar cells could drive a new wave of global solar energy capacity expansion in the coming years.
GreenLancer can help your team stay on the cutting edge of the solar energy industry. Work with us on your next installation for solar permit design and solar engineering services. Submit the contact form below to learn more.
Comments