Perovskite solar cells are one of the most technologically advanced solar cells and have a major potential to become the future of renewable energy. The cells are cheap and relatively easy to produce and are flexible as well, so much so that it can be sprayed or painted on surfaces. Now a team of Australian Researchers have just set the efficiency record for the biggest perovskite solar cells so far.
A team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia claims to have achieved a 12.1 percent energy conversion efficiency rating for a 16 sq. cm perovskite solar cell, which is at least 10 times the size of current certified high-efficiency perovskite cells.
"Perovskites came out of nowhere in 2009, with an efficiency rating of 3.8 percent, and have since grown in leaps and bounds," said Anita Ho-Baillie, a Senior Research Fellow at the UNSW's Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics. "I think we can get to 24 percent within a year or so."
"The diversity of chemical compositions also allows cells be transparent, or made of different colors," said Ho-Baillie. "Imagine being able to cover every surface of buildings, devices and cars with solar cells."
Perovskite cells do have downsides like much less durability, something Ho-Baillie and her team say they're confident they can improve, while also shooting for higher levels of efficiency.
