Next-gen solar cell study could help resolve instability issues

Abstract

UK RESEARCHERS are investigating a new type of highly versatile solar cell material that could boost power generation in space and bring about the next generation of solar panels. The University of Warwick team is undertaking a five-year study, which will delve into the atomic-level structure of the new material known as perovskite. Perovskite solar panels can be easily deposited onto most surfaces, including flexible and textured ones. The materials are Solar panels based on perovskite could be easily deposited onto most surfaces, including flexible and textured ones RENEWABLES Next-gen solar cell study could help resolve instability issues lightweight, cheap to produce, and as efficient as today's leading photovoltaic materials, which are mainly silicon. However, they currently face issues with stability and a short lifespan, which decreases further in high humidity, strong sunlight and at elevated temperatures. While the properties of perovskite solar cells change in a range of atmospheric conditions, they remain remarkably stable outside the Earth's atmosphere. This points to the potential for harvesting energy in space. The European Space Agency revealed last year that it would be investigating whether satellites could beam electricity to Earth. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR, an analytical chemistry technique that harnesses high magnetic fields and radio frequencies targeted at atomic nuclei) the team hopes to uncover why perovskite solar panels degrade so quickly at an atomic level.