A recent breakthrough from City University of Hong Kong could significantly enhance solar panel efficiency while simplifying manufacturing, according to a report from PV Magazine.
The innovation focuses on improving perovskite solar cells, a promising technology known for converting sunlight into energy efficiently at low production costs. However, perovskites have faced challenges related to stability and durability, which have hindered their widespread use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Hong Kong team tackled these issues with two key innovations. The first involves integrating hole-selective materials directly with perovskite layers, streamlining the manufacturing process. The second breakthrough replaces traditional organic materials, like fullerene and bathocuproine, with tin oxide, an inorganic electron transport layer, using a method known as atomic layer deposition.
The result is a solar cell that achieves 25% efficiency, meaning it can convert a quarter of the sunlight it receives into usable energy. Even more impressively, the cells retain 95% of their efficiency after 2,000 hours of operation.
“This simplified device structure represents the most advanced architecture in the field of perovskite solar cells, offering significant advantages for industrial-scale production,” said Gao Danpeng, one of the study’s co-authors.
Perovskite research is advancing worldwide, with labs in Korea adding lead, England exploring silicon, and China achieving an astounding efficiency rate above 28%. For comparison, most commercial panels have efficiencies between 15% and 20%.
This Hong Kong breakthrough also has the potential to make solar panels more affordable. The average cost for a residential solar installation is around $12,700, with tax credits covering up to 30% of the cost. Once installed, solar systems can save homeowners nearly $700 annually on energy bills, according to a government study.
The Hong Kong team’s work could lead to more efficient, cost-effective panels, helping homeowners save money while reducing carbon emissions linked to air pollution and related health issues like lung and heart problems.
Looking ahead, the team plans to scale their technique to larger solar modules. Professor Zhu Zonglong emphasized that this research is a crucial step towards achieving more sustainable energy production and a greener future globally.
This breakthrough, expected to be applied in solar energy systems within the next five years, represents an exciting leap forward in renewable energy technology.