Perovskite solar cells record highest power conversion
Use of existing industry method brings perovskites a step closer to
market adoption

Date:
July 14, 2020
Source:
Nanyang Technological University
Summary:
A team of researchers has created a perovskite solar mini module
that has recorded the highest power conversion efficiency of any
perovskite-based device larger than 10 cm2.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A team of researchers at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
(NTU Singapore) has created a perovskite solar mini module that has
recorded the highest power conversion efficiency of any perovskite-based
device larger than 10 cm2.


========================================================================== Perovskites are new materials that have emerged as promising alternatives
to silicon in solar cell applications. The material offers power
conversion efficiencies similar to silicon solar cells but can also be
used to create light-weight flexible and semi-transparent cells ideal
for applications in buildings and a variety of urban spaces. Perovskite technologies are progressing rapidly towards industrialisation, with
stability and scalability to larger sizes seen by researchers as the
last hurdles to overcome.

Now NTU researchers report that they have adopted a common industrial
coating technique called 'thermal co-evaporation' and found that it can fabricate solar cell modules of 21 cm2 size with record power conversion efficiencies of 18.1 per cent. These are the highest recorded values
reported for scalable perovskite solar cells.

Thermal evaporation is an established coating technique currently used
to produce electronics including Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) TVs.

Dr Annalisa Bruno, lead author of the research findings published on
the cover page of scientific journal Joule, and Senior Scientist at the
Energy Research Institute explained the roadblock in the large-scale
adoption of perovskite solar modules.

"The best-performing perovskite solar cells have so far been realised in
the laboratory at sizes much smaller than 1 cm2, using a solution-based technique, called 'spin-coating'. However, when used on a large surface,
the method results in perovskite solar cells with lower power conversion efficiencies.

This is due to the intrinsic limitations that include defects and lack
of uniformity over large areas, making it challenging for industrial fabrication methods" she said.



==========================================================================
"By using thermal evaporation to form the perovskite layer, our team successfully developed perovskite solar cells with the highest recorded
power conversion efficiency reported for modules larger than 10 cm2.

"Our work demonstrates the compatibility of perovskite technology with industrial processes, and its potential for market entry. This is good
news for Singapore, which is looking to ramp up the use of solar energy
for its power needs." First author and research fellow at ERI@N, Dr Li
Jia said, "We have demonstrated the excellent scalability of co-evaporated perovskite solar cells for the first time. This step will accelerate the transition of this technology from laboratory to industry." More surface
areas to harness sunlight with coloured perovskite solar cells Utilising
the same technique, the researchers then fabricated coloured semi-
transparent versions of the perovskite solar cells and mini modules,
which achieved similar measures of power conversion efficiency across
a whole range of different colours.



========================================================================== These results demonstrate the versatility of the thermal evaporation
method in producing a variety of perovskite-based solar devices for a
variety of optoelectronic applications.

NTU Associate Vice President (Strategy & Partnerships), Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, who is the co-lead author of the paper, said the findings
open doors for Singapore and urban environments in other countries to
harness the power of sunlight more efficiently than ever before.

"The solar mini modules can be used on facades and windows in skyscrapers, which is not possible with current silicon solar panels as they are
opaque and block light. Building owners will be able to incorporate semi-transparent coloured solar cells in the architectural designs
to harvest even more solar energy without compromising the aesthetic
qualities of their buildings" said Prof Mhaisalkar who is also Executive Director of the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).

Associate Professor Nripan Mathews, who is co-lead author and from
the School of Materials Science & Engineering at NTU said, "This work highlights the breadth and depth of perovskite research at NTU. There
is no other team in the world which pursues the various possibilities
that perovskites provide under one roof. From large area solar cells for buildings, high efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem devices, to light
emitting diodes -- our team is inspired to tackle the key challenges
involved to expedite technological deployment." Providing an independent
view, Professor Armin Aberle, Chief Executive Officer of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of
Singapore (NUS) said, "This work represents the first demonstration of
highly efficient large-area perovskite solar cells fabricated by an industrially compatible process. We are working closely with NTU in
the future development of 30% efficient perovskite-on-silicon tandem
solar cells in Singapore." The NTU team is now looking at integrating perovskite and silicon solar cells to create a tandem solar cell. Such
a configuration fabricated using cost- effective and scalable processes
can substantially increase the solar electricity production per unit
area while keeping production costs low.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
Nanyang_Technological_University. Note: Content may be edited for style
and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jia Li, Hao Wang, Xin Yu Chin, Herlina Arianita Dewi, Kurt Vergeer,
Teck
Wee Goh, Jia Wei Melvin Lim, Jia Haur Lew, Kian Ping Loh,
Cesare Soci, Tze Chien Sum, Henk J. Bolink, Nripan Mathews,
Subodh Mhaisalkar, Annalisa Bruno. Highly Efficient Thermally
Co-evaporated Perovskite Solar Cells and Mini-modules. Joule,
2020; 4 (5): 1035 DOI: 10.1016/ j.joule.2020.03.005 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200714101242.htm

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