Breakthrough Solar Cells: 25.8% Efficiency with New Material

• Breakthrough perovskite solar cells achieve 25.8% efficiency, outperforming silicon panels, promising reliable, low-cost clean energy with improved stability for commercialization.

Researchers at IMDEA Nanoscience, EPFL, and Ulsan have developed a perovskite solar cell with a certified efficiency of 25.2%, nearing the world record of 26.7%. Utilizing spiro-phenothiazine-based hole-transporting materials, particularly the fluorene derivative PTZ-Fl, the solar cells achieved up to 25.8% efficiency and maintained 80% output after 1,000 hours of use. A 25 cm² mini-module also demonstrated 22.1% efficiency, retaining over 85% performance after 1,100 hours.

This advancement addresses efficiency loss and instability issues, paving the way for commercialization. PTZ-Fl-based perovskites outperform commercial silicon panels, which average 18% efficiency, suggesting potential for reliable, low-cost, large-scale clean energy production. Earlier research indicated phenothiazine-based monolayers could enhance tin perovskite solar cells.

How do PTZ-Fl-based perovskites compare to commercial silicon panels in efficiency and stability?

• Efficiency Comparison: PTZ-Fl-based perovskites have achieved efficiencies up to 25.8%, which is significantly higher than the average efficiency of commercial silicon panels, typically around 18%.
• Stability: These perovskite cells maintain 80% of their output after 1,000 hours, while a mini-module retains over 85% performance after 1,100 hours. Silicon panels generally have a longer lifespan but can suffer from gradual efficiency degradation over time.
• Potential for Commercialization: The high efficiency and improved stability of PTZ-Fl-based perovskites suggest they could be a viable alternative to silicon panels, offering a pathway to more cost-effective and scalable solar energy solutions.
• Material Advantages: The use of spiro-phenothiazine-based hole-transporting materials, like PTZ-Fl, addresses common issues of efficiency loss and instability in perovskite solar cells, enhancing their commercial viability.
• Cost Implications: Perovskites are generally cheaper to produce than silicon, potentially reducing the overall cost of solar energy systems if stability and efficiency can be maintained at scale.
  
• Research and Development: Continued advancements in perovskite technology, such as the use of phenothiazine-based monolayers, are crucial for further improving the performance and durability of these solar cells.