Record efficiency for perovskite solar cell surpasses silicon

A team of researchers in Australia has made significant strides in the field of solar energy by achieving remarkable conversion efficiencies in perovskite solar cells that can rival traditional silicon cells. Led by Professor Lianzhou Wang at the University of Queensland, the team has set a new world record for solar cell efficiency, reaching an impressive 16.65% using eco-friendly perovskite technology.

This breakthrough in tin halide perovskite (THP) solar cells marks a substantial advancement, surpassing the previous best for THP solar cells by nearly one percentage point. Professor Wang emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “It might not seem like much, but this is a giant leap in a field that is renowned for delicate and incremental progress.” He also highlighted the potential of perovskite technology to offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative to silicon-based solar cells currently on the market.

The record-setting THP solar cell efficiency comes on the heels of a previous milestone set by Wang five years ago in power conversion efficiency using quantum dots technology. Dr. Dongxu He, a member of the research group, noted that the success with quantum dots inspired efforts to enhance the performance of THP thin-film solar cells, leading to the recent breakthrough.

One of the key challenges the team faced was the quality of tin precursor materials, which impacted the efficiency of THP solar cells due to sub-standard thin films. By introducing caesium ions into the mix, the researchers were able to improve the microstructure and reduce defects in the THP film, overcoming this hurdle and achieving the record efficiency.

Dr. Dongxu He highlighted the commercial potential of THP solar cells, emphasizing their sustainability compared to traditional silicon-based cells. He pointed out that the eco-friendly nature of tin used in THP cells, as opposed to toxic lead in other perovskite cells, makes them safer for household installations. Additionally, advancements in tandem cell technology, combining perovskite and silicon cells, have shown promise in achieving efficiencies above 30%.