Significant Breakthrough in Perovskite Photovoltaic Technology Opens Up Broad Prospects for Industrial Application
Recently, a research team from the School of Materials Science at East China University of Science and Technology published findings in the journal Science regarding the stability of perovskite solar cells. This research reveals the key mechanisms behind the instability of perovskite photovoltaics and introduces an innovative solution—graphene-polymer mechanically enhanced perovskite materials. This technological advancement is widely regarded within the industry as paving the way for the industrial application of perovskite solar cells.
Compared to traditional crystalline silicon cells, perovskite photovoltaic cells are recognized as a promising new technology due to their high conversion efficiency, low cost, and lightweight properties. However, the instability of these devices has been a significant barrier to their commercialization. The research team at East China University of Science and Technology conducted an in-depth study that identified the key mechanism of decomposition in perovskite materials under light and high-temperature conditions, known as photo-mechanical induced decomposition. Based on this discovery, they proposed a new method using graphene-polymer mechanically enhanced perovskite materials, which significantly improves the stability of perovskite cells under such conditions.
Reportedly, the solar cells developed by the team maintained 97% of their power generation efficiency after operating for 3,670 hours in simulated daily use conditions of intense light and high temperatures. This achievement not only provides an effective solution to the stability issues of perovskite cells but also lays a solid foundation for large-scale commercial applications.
Industry experts view perovskite cells as the next generation of photovoltaic technology with vast development potential. Wang Gang, a representative at the National People’s Congress and chairman of Jinjing Group, stated that the flexibility and low-light energy generation characteristics of perovskite cells allow for widespread applications in fields such as Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and distributed photovoltaics. Including this technology in national and provincial “14th Five-Year Plan” initiatives is crucial for strengthening China’s leadership in the global green energy sector.
In light of the promising outlook for perovskite photovoltaic cells, several listed companies have actively positioned themselves within the relevant supply chains. China National Nuclear Power has established a subsidiary, CNNC Optoelectronics, focused on the research and manufacturing of perovskite solar cell technology and has launched commercial-grade products. BOE Technology Group has also announced the initiation of a perovskite photovoltaic project and established a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to the research and industrialization of this technology. Additionally, several companies, including Jinjing Group, CATL, and Tongwei Co., have entered the research and production of perovskite cells.
Despite the substantial application potential of perovskite photovoltaic cells, mass production still faces challenges related to stability, large-area fabrication, cycle life, process consistency, and cost. Zhang Yue, chairman of Beijing Aoyou International Cultural Media Co., suggested that the industry should enhance fundamental research to improve the performance and stability of perovskite photovoltaic cells, while also advancing process optimization and scaling up production to reduce costs. Trina Solar is actively promoting foundational, cutting-edge, and specialized research on the next generation of photovoltaic technology, collaborating with global universities to address key technical challenges such as the stability of perovskite cells.
With ongoing technological advancements and deepening industrial development, perovskite photovoltaic cells are expected to become a significant component of the future photovoltaic industry, providing robust support for the global green energy transition.
