This achievement by scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has the potential to lead to cheaper, more efficient and durable solar cells.
Prior to the record-breaking feat by the NUS team, the best 1cm2 perovskite solar cell recorded a power conversion efficiency of 23.7 per cent.
Perovskites exhibit high light absorption efficiency and ease of fabrication, making them promising for solar cell applications. In the past decade, perovskite solar cell technology has achieved several breakthroughs, and the technology continues to evolve.
“We undertook a dedicated effort to develop innovative and scalable technologies aimed at improving the efficiency of 1cm2 perovskite solar cells. Our objective was to bridge the efficiency gap and unlock the full potential of larger-sized devices,” said Assistant Professor Hou Yi, leader of the NUS research team comprising scientists from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering, plus the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS).
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He continued: “This work represents the first instance of an inverted-structure perovskite solar cell exceeding the normal structured perovskite solar cells with an active area of 1cm2, and this is mainly attributed to the innovative charge transporting material incorporated in our perovskite solar cells. Since inverted-structure perovskite solar cells always offer excellent stability and scalability, achieving a higher efficiency than for normal-structured perovskite cells represents a significant milestone in commercialising this cutting-edge technology.”
This milestone achievement has been included in the Solar Cell Efficiency Tables (Version 62) in 2023. Published by Progress in Photovoltaics on 21 June 2023, these consolidated tables show an extensive listing of the highest independently confirmed efficiencies for solar cells and modules.
The record-breaking accomplishment was made by successfully incorporating a novel interface material into perovskite solar cells.
“The introduction of this novel interface material brings forth a range of advantageous attributes, including excellent optical, electrical, and chemical properties. These properties work synergistically to enhance both the efficiency and longevity of perovskite solar cells, paving the way for significant improvements in their performance and durability,” explained team member Dr Li Jia, postdoctoral researcher at SERIS.
Asst Prof Hou and his team aim to push the boundaries of perovskite solar cell technology even further.
Another key area of focus is to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells, as perovskite materials are sensitive to moisture and can degrade over time. Asst Prof Hou commented, “We are developing a customised accelerating aging methodology to bring this technology from the lab to the fab. One of our next goals is to deliver perovskite solar cells with 25 years of operational stability.”
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