Perovskite solar cells: Will they eclipse silicon and radically transform solar power?
The world is on the verge of a new era with the emergence of perovskite solar cells, a material that promises to not only surpass the efficiency of silicon, but also make solar energy more affordable and sustainable.
Read also:
The limits of silicon
For years, silicon has been the mainstay of the solar industry, with an efficiency ceiling that seems difficult to crack. Despite advances, silicon solar cells today achieve a theoretical maximum efficiency of around 33%, a figure that reduces in practice due to various energy losses. This limited efficiency is mainly due to the specific energy gap of the material, which does not allow all the sunlight to be captured.
40 billion euros and 150,000 jobs in France for this miraculous resource which would be found in quantity in the Pyrenees
Perovskite: an adjustable light sensor
Unlike silicon, perovskite has an adjustable band gap. This unique feature allows researchers to modify the composition of the material to optimize its light absorption properties. This flexibility paves the way for the creation of tandem solar cells, where two perovskite layers with different band gaps are superimposed to capture a wider solar spectrum, which can theoretically increase efficiency by up to 45%.
Beyond efficiency: the multiple advantages of perovskite
Perovskite not only offers better efficiency. Its production is also more environmentally friendly and less expensive than that of silicon. Thin perovskite films can be printed or deposited at low temperatures, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of their manufacturing. Additionally, perovskite’s tolerance for minor imperfections minimizes their impact on performance, thereby simplifying the production process.
Innovative applications
Thanks to its lightness and flexibility, perovskite opens the door to new applications. Unlike silicon panels, which are often heavy and rigid, perovskite cells can be integrated into various surfaces, such as car roofs or buildings with limited load capacities. This versatility significantly expands the potential for adoption of solar energy in varied contexts.
From theory to practice
Moving from promising laboratory prototypes to widespread adoption involves overcoming several challenges. It is crucial to scale up production, move from centimeter-sized prototypes to industrial scale, and improve the long-term stability and weather resistance of perovskite cells to make them viable in real-world applications. .
Progress and perspectives
There is optimism among researchers who expect to overcome these obstacles in the next five to 10 years. The development of perovskite solar cells is advancing rapidly, driven by significant industrial interest. Although this technology is still young compared to the seven decades of silicon cell development, it holds immense potential for the future.
This engine does not run on electricity or hydrogen and displays 500 horsepower
This article explores the rise of perovskite solar cells, a revolutionary material that could not only surpass the efficiency of silicon, but also transform the solar energy landscape through its economical production and flexible application potential.
Source: Empa
