Vacuum vs. Solvent: Fast-Track to Perovskite Solar Commercialization

• Discover the potential of vacuum processes in accelerating the commercialization of perovskite solar cells, surpassing conventional silicon-based cells with efficiencies over 33%.

Research and industry are working on commercializing perovskite photovoltaics, with most laboratories using solvent-based manufacturing processes while established industries use vacuum processes. An international consortium led by KIT and NREL has analyzed this discrepancy and highlighted the potential for vacuum processes to accelerate the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Efficiencies of over 33% have been achieved in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell research, surpassing conventional silicon-based cells, but the technology has not yet reached the market due to production process challenges.

Solvent-based processes dominate research due to ease of use and low cost, while vacuum processes have advantages in reproducibility, process control, and scalability. Industry is already interested in vacuum-based processes for perovskite solar cell production, despite the method being less common in research. Further improvements are needed to enhance deposition quality and increase deposition rates for full commercialization potential.

How can vacuum processes accelerate commercialization of perovskite solar cells?

• Vacuum processes offer advantages in reproducibility, process control, and scalability compared to solvent-based processes.
• Industry is already showing interest in vacuum-based processes for perovskite solar cell production, despite being less common in research.
• Efficiencies of over 33% have been achieved in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell research, surpassing conventional silicon-based cells.
• Further improvements are needed to enhance deposition quality and increase deposition rates for full commercialization potential.
• The international consortium led by KIT and NREL has highlighted the potential for vacuum processes to accelerate the commercialization of perovskite solar cells.