Hybrid Solar Cells Set World Record for Performance & Efficiency



Hybrid Solar Cells Set World Record for Performance & Efficiency
Scientists have discovered a new cost-efficient way to produce hybrid solar cells setting a new world-record for performance efficiency and photo-stability.
Technology Briefing

Transcript


A recent study from Korea's UNIST, discovered a new cost-efficient way to produce hybrid-inorganic-organic perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which have set a new world-record for performance efficiency and photo-stability. The technology described in the March 2017 issue of Science, is currently the most promising candidate for the next generation high-efficiency solar cell technology. The research team expects this method to significantly accelerate the commercialization of PSCs.

PSCs are made of a mixture of organic molecules and inorganic elements within a single crystalline structure, which together capture light and convert it into electricity. The unique crystal structure, consisting of two cations and one anion, can be fabricated more easily and cheaply than silicon-based solar cells, using a flexible or rigid substrate.

In this study, the research team explained the fabrication of PSCs delivering an extremely high efficiency of 21.2 percent and as well as high photo-stability. Photo-stability refers to the ability to withstand exposure to light without a serious degradation. This new material retains 93 percent of its initial performance after 1,000 hours of exposure to sunlight.

In the study, the research team described a new solar cell manufacturing methodology, called the 'Hot-Pressing Method.' This method tightly adheres two objects by applying temperature and pressure. It's this methodology that allows the production of the low-cost, high efficiency and stability perovskite solar cells.

Most importantly, this approach combines a newly-synthesized photoelectrode material with the hot-pressing method to lower the manufacturing cost to less than half that of existing silicon solar cells.

Once commercialized, it could be a real game-changer.



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