Scientists from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Michigan State, Toledo and Wisconsin universities have found bifacial perovskite PV cells have the potential to become more environmentally friendly than conventional crystalline silicon devices, due to their increased energy yield.

The scientists examined sites at Toledo, in Ohio and Golden, Colorado, to take account of high and low latitude and humidity conditions. The researchers analyzed the environmental impact of single-junction, bifacial perovskite cells with high and low bandgaps, and multi-junction devices of the same type with two-terminal (2T) and four-terminal (4T) structures. They quantified the life cycle energy production from the cells under real-world conditions and benefiting from diverse albedo environments including installation above sandstone, concrete, grass and snow.

A team of researchers, led by China’s Nanjing University, have found that a chemical most commonly used in the textile industry can also serve as a performance-enhancing additive for mixed lead/tin perovskite thin films. They have used this additive to create a two perovskite tandem cell measuring 1.05cm² that achieved 24.2% efficiency.

Mixed lead-tin perovskites are known to have the right narrow bandgap for use as the top cell in a tandem device. However, despite similar theoretical efficiency potential, the development of these materials has stayed behind that of pure lead perovskites. One reason for this, according to scientists, is that the tin tends to oxidize during fabrication of the film, leading to high levels of defects and non-uniformity in the film. “Defective grain surfaces are vulnerable to trap generation and Sn²⁺ oxidation,” state the group led by Nanjing University Professor Hairen Tan. “And this works against the stability, efficiency, and scaling of mixed Pb–Sn perovskite solar cells and all-perovskite tandems.”

Poland-based Saule Technologies that develops flexible photovoltaic cells based on perovskite technology, recently launched sunbreaker lamellas equipped with perovskite solar cells. In a market full of potential and promises but still low on commercial products, it is definitely encouraging to see the launch of a product such as this.

The product presentation took place in cooperation with partners Somfy and Aliplast. The company intends to commercialize the sunbreakers in cooperation with the company to be selected in a tender. The first presentation of the product took place at Silesia Ring track during an event attended by representatives of the management of several dozen of the largest Polish companies from such industries as logistics, retail, FMCG, telecommunications and real estate. The product presented during the premiere included an automation system and smart cover control by Somfy, and an aluminum construction provided by Aliplast.