Perovskite and silicon solar cells with an efficiency of over 30 percent
New research suggests that solar cells made of perovskite and silicon achieve an efficiency of over 30 percent. However, the technology has some disadvantages compared to classic solar systems.
The number of newly installed solar systems is constantly increasing. However, this is not enough to sustainably cover our daily electricity needs at all times. In addition to installing additional systems, researchers are therefore trying to increase the efficiency of solar cells. But classic silicon systems will soon reach their limit.
In most cases, silicon solar cells achieve an efficiency of 25 percent. This means that a quarter of the energy generated is converted into electricity. There are also panels with an efficiency of 29 percent. However, they are usually expensive and – as of today – represent the maximum in terms of efficiency.
Perovskite and silicon solar cells achieve efficiencies of over 30 percent
This is one reason why a material is now being traded as a promising successor to silicon: perovskite. This is a mineral with which solar systems can apparently achieve an efficiency of more than 30 percent. But there still seems to be a long way to go until then.
Therefore, experts try the connect the two materials together. As a hybrid system, silicon and perovskite can therefore convert different wavelengths of solar radiation into electricity. This is because perovskite is more likely to deal with radiation in the high energy spectrum, while silicon is more likely to convert radiation in the lower energy spectrum.
Today’s manufacturing process still limits the lifespan
The advantages that such panels offer are also in the price. Perovskite can be produced by chemical processes in the laboratory and is therefore cheaper. However, the existing manufacturing processes pose a problem for the industry. Because the artificially created crystals disintegrate in the medium term, so that the panels only have a short lifespan.
For comparison: Modern solar systems have a service life of around 20 years. However, the perovskite crystals disintegrate in a few weeks or months and are therefore not yet a real alternative to silicon. Hybrid systems made of silicon and perovskite could therefore be an alternative and achieve an efficiency of more than 30 percent.
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