Revolution in solar energy: Perovskite cells for the future!

Revolution in solar energy: Perovskite cells for the future!

Research into new materials for photovoltaics is gaining momentum. Perovskites, which are considered a cost-effective alternative to classic silicon solar cells, are particularly promising. These findings come from researchers at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), who are working intensively on the flow of electricity in perovskite materials at the Nuremberg Energy Campus (EnCN). Perovskite cells have the potential to bring about a revolution in solar energy.

Perovskite solar cells have several advantages. Their production is cheaper compared to conventional solar cells, which are based on energy-intensive silicon semiconductors. They also achieve a high efficiency of over 26 percent and show a high tolerance for defects. This property allows them to retain their optoelectronic properties even in the presence of defects in the crystal structure. However, the use of lead as a component in these cells is also a clear disadvantage as it poses environmental and health risks.

Research on long-term stability

A central topic of current research is the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells. An international team led by Prof. Antonio Abate conducted a study to investigate the effects of extreme temperature cycles on these materials. The experimental part of the study involved temperature variations between -150 °C and +150 °C, which simulated the behavior of the microstructures and the interactions between the layers of the cells under extreme conditions. The results were recently published in the journal Nature Reviews Materials.

The researchers found that thermal stress plays a crucial role in the degradation of the metal halide perovskites. These cells can achieve efficiencies of up to 27 percent, although their long-term stability in outdoor use is considered questionable. Solar modules should ideally deliver stable yields for at least 20 to 30 years to be economically viable.

Steps required for improvement

In order to improve stability under real conditions, FAU researchers are developing criteria for defect tolerance in semiconductor connections. The manufacturing process of perovskite cells could be optimized through improvements in crystalline quality as well as appropriate buffer layers. Standardized testing protocols to determine stability during temperature changes are also necessary to better understand the challenges of outdoor use.

In summary, research on perovskites offers a promising perspective for low-cost and long-lasting solar cells that can be more easily adapted to various applications. Despite the challenges, particularly with regard to long-term stability and lead content, the targeted further development of these technologies could be crucial for the future direction of photovoltaics. FAU researchers are working on making reliable predictions for environmentally friendly materials in order to find long-term solutions.