Solar Perovskite Technologies

Abstract

Perovskite photovoltaic is the fastest growing technology the solar field has ever seen. Within a decade, the efficiency of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has gone up from 3.1% to 25.7%. Such rapid growth came from the efforts of numerous groups working towards enhancing the performance of PSCs. The generation of energy from PSC is not very straightforward, and it involves different mechanisms to degrade the devices in both the short and long terms. Moreover, bandgap tunability allows modification of the perovskite material in several ways. This article first discusses the history of perovskite materials and PSCs. Next, the structure and power generation mechanism in a PSC is discussed. Afterwards, this article focuses on the cost and challenges of perovskite PV technology commercialization. Though the cost of this class of solar cells is relatively low, stability throws a considerable challenge. This article discusses the stability of PSCs in detail, focusing on different mechanisms degrading the device. Moreover, encapsulation of PSCs, which is often seen as an efficient way to reduce moisture and oxygen degradation, is talked through. Lead (Pb), which is used in almost all high-efficiency PSCs, poses a threat due to lead poisoning. A critical analysis is made on the usage of lead for the perovskite materials. Challenges for processing lead-free perovskites are also discussed in this article. Towards the end, the prospect of forming perovskite tandem devices with silicon or organic bottom cells is discussed. Perovskites, having direct tunable bandgap, are convenient in tandem and multijunction devices. Tandem cells have theoretical efficiency greater than the limit of single-junction solar cells. Finally, this article is concluded with the discussion of a greener future where PSCs can contribute side by side to other PV technologies.