Energy

New efficiency record for large perovskite solar cell

Researchers have set a new efficiency record for the largest certified perovskite solar cell
University of New South Wales
Researchers have set a new efficiency record for the largest certified perovskite solar cell
University of New South Wales

Perovskite solar cells hold major potential for the future of renewable energy thanks to being cheap, easy to produce and are so flexible that they can even be sprayed or painted on surfaces. Now a team of Australian researchers has just set the efficiency record for the biggest perovskite solar cells so far.

A team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia claims to have achieved a 12.1 percent energy conversion efficiency rating for a 16 cm2 (2.5 sq in) perovskite solar cell, which is at least 10 times the size of current certified high-efficiency perovskite cells.

In the last year or so, we've seen other smaller perovskite cells and some hybrid combinations hit efficiency levels above 20 percent. The UNSW team also achieved 18 percent efficiency for a 1.2 cm2 (0.2 sq in) single perovskite cell, and 11.5 percent for a 16 cm2 (2.5 sq in) four-cell perovskite mini-module.

"Perovskites came out of nowhere in 2009, with an efficiency rating of 3.8 percent, and have since grown in leaps and bounds," said Anita Ho-Baillie, a Senior Research Fellow at the UNSW's Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics. "I think we can get to 24 percent within a year or so."

The solar cells are made from crystals grown into a particular structure called perovskite. Smooth layers of perovskite with large crystal grain sizes allow the cells to absorb more light. The technology has been advancing fast and attracting plenty of attention thanks to its ease of production and low cost compared to silicon cells.

"The diversity of chemical compositions also allows cells be transparent, or made of different colors," said Ho-Baillie. "Imagine being able to cover every surface of buildings, devices and cars with solar cells."

Perovskite cells do have downsides like much less durability, something Ho-Baillie and her team say they're confident they can improve, while also shooting for higher levels of efficiency.

Source: UNSW

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3 comments
Island Architect
This is magnificent when people begin talking about efficiencies relating to various sorts of energy collectors. Huge jumps are bound to be developed.
And pretty soon someone will realize that the Suspension Engineer from Detroit actually did something in developing a wind engine that hit the 59% Betz limit.
Soon others will follow in the wind energy world instead of these super low efficiency engines that are abysmall and ugly.
MartinVoelker
Island Architect - having just heard a comprehensive talk by a wind veteran and proponent, Sandy Butterfield (on Youtube), I'll say that wind and solar complement each other nicely. Also, building higher towers, now made possible by on-site manufacturing pioneered by MIT startup Keystone Power Systems etc, is key to higher and more consistent yields.
noteugene
Can hardly wait till they get to the point to where they can spray a clear coat of this on an entire new roof....perhaps several thin layers. More of the roof covered than just using panels, the ugly problem deleted, more buyers driving cost down due to increased sales volumes. Not to mention increasing the lifetime of asphalt shingles. If you've never been out in a hot sun roofing a house, you don't know what the meaning of fun is......this is good news but I'll wait on actual sales before applause...