Perovskite Solar Cell: The New Solar Panel Technology
Perovskite solar cells, or PVSCs, have quickly captured the interest of solar enthusiasts as a material that does wonders. The new solar technology promises to transform the way solar panels are designed. Perovskites tend to be cheaper, more efficient, and weigh less than traditional silicon-based panels.
But what exactly are perovskite cells, how do they work, and are they ready for deployment outside the lab?
In this guide, we clarify everything you need to know about perovskites, how they compare to already familiar silicon-based solar technologies, where they can be used, and the key factors restricting their potential. If you’re curious about the future of solar energy, this is a good place to start.
What Is a Perovskite Solar Cell?
A perovskite solar cell (or PVSC) is an emerging type of solar technology using “perovskites”. The term “perovskites” comes from a natural mineral first discovered in 1839 in the Ural Mountains.
Although this original mineral is not directly used in modern solar panels, its crystal structure is what inspired scientists to create synthetic materials resembling it (often referred to as ABX₃). Thanks to the innovative material, perovskite solar panels can absorb sunlight more efficiently and, in turn, convert more electrical energy.
How Perovskites Function
Perovskite solar panels operate much like traditional silicon panels. Sunlight is transformed into energy through the photovoltaic effect. But the key difference is its light-absorbing layer. This is where perovskite materials do the heavy lifting.
How light absorption in PVSC works, in simple terms:
- Sunlight hits the perovskite layer.
- Light particles called photons charge electrons with energy.
- These electrons move through special transport layers.
- Their movement produces an electrical current.
Source: SolarReviews
To better see how perovskite panels compare, below is a table that shows PVSCs’ max potential and average efficiency:
Solar Cell Performance Comparison
| Technology | Efficiency | Maximum Potential |
| Perovskite solar | ~26.95% | ~34% |
| Silicon solar panels | ~21-23% | 33% |
| Perovskite-Silicon Tandem | ~34.85% | 47% |
A Closer Look at Perovskites Inside Solar Cells
Perovskites consist of laboratory-synthesized compounds that combine readily-available elements such as lead or tin with halides (bromine or chlorine). Together, these materials form the more-efficient light-absorbing layer of the solar cell.
Why Perovskite Solar Cells Stand Out as More Efficient
Traditional solar panels usually rely only on silicon. Perovskite cells, on the other hand, can either be used on their own or be combined with silicon in tandem solar designs. In a tandem cell, the perovskite layer is on top of the silicon. This allows each layer to capture different portions of the sunlight. As a result, more energy is generated from the same amount of sunlight.
Because of this technology, perovskite panels stand out as “built for efficiency”. Not to mention, this new solar technology can be manufactured at lower temperatures, is lightweight, and flexible. Applying a layer of silicon increases efficiency.
Where Is It Best To Use Perovskite Solar Cells?
Rather than being a one-size-fits-all solution, perovskite solar panels work best when matched to the right needs and environment. Their features and design make them best suited for specific use cases where traditional silicon panels fall behind.
Residential Rooftops
If your home has limited roof space, perovskite panels can generate more electricity from a smaller surface area. This is why PVSCs appeal more to urban homes, apartments, and properties where every square meter matters.
Commercial Buildings
Since PVSCs are not as heavy as conventional silicon solar panels, they better fit buildings that were not designed to support heavy loads. Buildings with roof load constraints, such as offices, historic houses, malls, and industrial roofs, are best suited for the perovskite market.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
Perovskite materials can be made into thin, translucent films. This allows PVSCs to generate more power while still letting light through. As a result, making it ideal for windows, glass walls, and building exteriors, where standard solar panels would be impractical or visually intrusive.
Source: Solarstone
Electric Vehicles & Transportation
If you live on wheels or would like to get some extra energy while you’re on the road, perovskites can be flexible and lightweight for your vehicle’s curved roof surfaces as well. While they won’t replace charging entirely, they can help extend range or power onboard systems.
The Downside of Perovskite Solar Cells
Lead Toxicity Concerns
As mentioned, perovskite cells contain lead, a well-known toxic heavy metal. This has raised eyebrows because if not recycled properly, lead particles could leak into soil or water. And instead of “going green”, it can harm the people and the environment.
In addition, the perovskite manufacturing process uses harmful organic solvents, summarized into precursor solvents, antisolvents, and solvents for the ETL/HTL, all adding to its cautious environmental and health concerns.
Since its breakthrough in 2012, scientists have been actively seeking lead-free perovskite alternatives (tin-based, for example). However, these alternatives often don’t work as well yet.
Shorter Solar Panel Lifetimes vs. Silicon-Based
Traditional silicon-based solar panels have a lifetime of 20-25 years, or even 30 years, depending on your maintenance and upkeep.
How about PVSCs or perovskite solar panels?
Since perovskite solar cells are more sensitive to moisture, heat, oxygen, and sunlight, PVSCs tend to degrade much faster.
In perspective, conventional solar panels degrade at 0.5% per year, while perovskite solar panels degrade at 1%. That’s 100% more.
This is why Oxford PV’s perovskite-silicon panels put their expected commercial life at around 10 years only. Although ongoing research and studies are targeting 20 years in the future.
Scaling Up Manufacturing
In 2021, a perovskite solar cell factory was opened by Saule Technologies. Since then, manufacturing has also started in Poland and China. Followed by Oxford PV in 2022 in Germany.
However, manufacturing constraints still limit large-scale adoption. Scaling lab-level efficiency to full-size panels is difficult. In addition to inconsistent performance, which makes long-term warranties hard to guarantee.
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office is funding research to improve durability, manufacturability, and testing standards. We need extensive research because the above-mentioned challenges are holding back mass production.
Perovskite Solar Panels for Homes: Are We Nearly There?
Are perovskite solar panels ready for everyday home use?
The answer: not quite yet.
As mentioned in this article, fully perovskite panels aren’t widely available yet. But perovskite-silicon tandem panels are starting to roll out in early commercial projects, mainly in some parts of Europe and Asia.
Most solar industry experts expect PVSC availability to happen in stages. Watch out this year because, around 2026 to 2027, limited options may appear. Broader adoption is forecasted to happen closer to 2030.
While not fully replacing silicone in solar panel technology, perovskite solar cells are more likely to enhance the existing technology. Letting the same amount of sunlight produce more energy, thus addressing limited space constraints for various homeowners.
If you are considering upgrading to solar now, there’s no downside to getting started. Anytime is the perfect time to convert to greener energy.
Get a free solar quote and see how current solar technology can power your home, reduce your energy bills, and prepare you for what’s coming next.
FAQ
What are the advantages of perovskite panels?
One of the main advantages is that they’re much less expensive than traditional solar panels. Firstly, this is due to the use of less costly materials, and secondly, the manufacturing processes are significantly simpler and cheaper.
Are perovskite solar cells safer for the environment than traditional solar panels?
Not really. They are easier on recycling costs, and fewer rare materials are used in their production compared to conventional solar cells. But on the other hand, perovskite cells contain lead, and if they are damaged, lead can be released into the soil, resulting in contamination. The recycling process also raises concerns because there are currently no good methods to get rid of the used perovskites. Therefore, to reduce these risks, it is necessary to develop either lead-free alternatives or more efficient recycling methods.
Are perovskite solar panels more efficient than silicon solar cells?
Yes. While conventional silicon solar cells convert only a quarter of sunlight, perovskite cells have an efficiency of over 26%. It's the light-absorbing layer that makes them more efficient.
But perovskite cells are even more effective when paired with silicon. A tandem design demonstrates an efficiency of over 34%.
