Commercial solar panels currently have the ability to convert around 15% to 20% of captured sunlight into electrical power. However, researchers at Soochow University suggest there’s considerable room for improvement. They note that the next generation of solar cells has achieved an efficiency of 26.1%, indicating potential for even higher rates. Nonetheless, they emphasize the need for more targeted research to not only standardize this efficiency but also exceed it.
In a recent publication in Energy Materials and Devices, they presented their assessment of the current state of research on high-efficiency perovskite solar cells and their recommendations for future endeavors.
“Metal halide perovskite solar cells represent a new type of high-performance solar cell,” stated Fengren Cao, the lead author and researcher at Soochow University’s School of Physical Science and Technology. “They demonstrate excellent photoelectric properties and offer the potential for high efficiency and low cost, positioning them as a promising contender for future solar energy applications.”
Advantages of Perovskite Solar Cells
The metal halide perovskite used in these solar cells is an organic material similar to calcium titanium oxide, functioning as a light-absorbing semiconductor to capture incident sunlight and convert it into energy.
“Perovskite solar cells boast high efficiency, surpassing 26% in laboratory conditions; cost-effectiveness, utilizing relatively inexpensive materials and straightforward manufacturing processes; flexibility, as they can be fabricated on flexible substrates like plastic or metal foils, facilitating the creation of lightweight, flexible photovoltaic devices; and scalability to larger sizes,” Cao elaborated. “They hold significant promise as the next frontier in photovoltaic technology.”
