The certified efficiency of 1 cm² scale all-perovskite tandem solar cells tends to lag behind that of their small-area (~0.1 cm2) counterparts. This performance deficit originates from inhomogeneity in wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) at a large scale. The inhomogeneity is thought to be introduced at the bottom interface and within the perovskite bulk itself. 

Researchers from Nanjing University, Jilin University, University of Cambridge, University of Victoria, The Australian National University, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Renshine Solar (Suzhou) have reported an all-perovskite tandem solar cell based on a wide-bandgap top perovskite cell with a 20.5% efficiency. 

Researchers from the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), University of Rome Tor Vergata and Université Crenoble Alpes have designed a Solar Brick (SB) based on textile ceramic technology (TCT) and perovskite photovoltaic cells. The new SB can be used for applications in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). 

Textile Ceramic Technology (TCT) is an innovative construction system that consists of ceramic units installed in a grid of stainless steel wires. TCT has been patented in 2011. Its main application is to cover roofs, grounds, building façades and more. The team says: "One of the advantages of the system is the reduced time construction, since traditional ceramic claddings systems require a manual procedure on site in where the bricks are placed one by one joined by mortar. Moreover, the large length dimension of the shells makes possible to cover ground, façade and roof with the same element".

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba and Kyoto University have studied the internal properties of low-cost materials used in perovskite solar cells that use HND-2NOMe, a replacement hole-transport material to spiro-OMeTAD, using electron spin resonance (ESR) to analyze these materials at a microscopic level.

Chemical structures of hole-transport materials spiro-OMeTAD and HND-2NOMe. Image from: Communications Materials

The results clarify the underlying causes for reduced device performance, despite high local charge mobility, offering critical insights for designing improved solar cells. 

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are emerging as a candidate for use as an efficient and sustainable energy storage solution, offering advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, safety, and performance. The key to commercializing ZIBs lies in developing cathode materials that offer high specific capacity and prolonged cycle performance. 

In a recent study, researchers from the Indian Institute of Science and University of Melbourne have demonstrated the capability of environmentally friendly, lead-free inorganic perovskites for high-rate rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries with enhanced stability and excellent rate performance.

Researchers from China's Tianshui Normal University have reported a grain regeneration and passivation approach that can decrease the recombination loss of the perovskite layer/charge transfer layer interface and the grain border. 

Device manufacturing process. Image from: Scientific Reports

The team relies on guanidine iodide (GAI) treatment of perovskite films for this new approach. Unlike most methods that use GAI for post-treatment of the perovskite layer or add GAI into the perovskite precursor solution, this work uses GAI for pre-treatment before spin coating the perovskite layer. It can effectively passivate surface defects and increase the grain size of perovskite films by controlling the crystallization process. 

According to reports, Datong City is currently cooperating with companies such as CATL to promote the implementation of a 1.52 MW perovskite demonstration zone. After completion, the project will become the country's largest commercial perovskite ground photovoltaic project.

It was said that the installed capacity of new energy and renewable energy in Datong City has reached 9.29 million kilowatts, accounting for 53.7% of the city's total installed power capacity. It has also focused on promoting the construction of a 6 million kilowatt new energy base project in the northern Shanxi coal mining subsidence area with a total investment of nearly 40 billion yuan. After it is put into operation, it will be able to supply 10 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region every year.

Researchers from Konkuk University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Nanoenics have reported an improved crystallization of hybrid perovskite films achieved through the addition of a potent antioxidant derived from garlic, known as allicin. Oxidation of hybrid perovskite composed of organic–inorganic materials can cause significant problems in performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), because the hybrid perovskite oxidation induces considerable decrease in crystallinity and quality of hybrid perovskites.

Defect sites within the hybrid perovskite film, which arise during annealing and ageing processes, were found to be effectively managed by the antioxidant properties of allicin, particularly at elevated temperatures. Acting as an in situ encapsulator for the hybrid perovskite, the antioxidant efficiently regulated defect sites by supplying protons and neutralizing free radicals. 

 Verde Technologies has opened a new research lab and pilot production facility in Waterbury Center, Vermont, which will aim to allow the company to build out its pilot lines and start producing larger thin-film solar cells for upcoming pilot projects with local and national partners. 

The research center is located in the former Suss Microtec facility. Verde's lead investor is VCET's Vermont Seed Capital Fund. Founded in Burlington by University of Vermont alums and researchers, Verde Technologies manufactures thin, lightweight and flexible perovskite solar panels. The Company says that "these American-made and manufactured panels are ten times lighter than traditional silicon solar panels and use a peel-and-stick installation method making them much more accessible and affordable". Verde’s technology will allow them to repower older solar fields to increase their output and utilize existing infrastructure.

Researchers from the  Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Zhejiang University have developed a highly passivated TOPCon bottom cell, achieving perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) with high open-circuit voltages (VOCs) and excellent efficiencies. 

The structure and performance of tandem devices with highly passivated TOPCon bottom cells. Image by Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) 

Numerous defects at the fragile silicon oxide/c-Si interface and the weak field-effect passivation on textured substrates reduce the VOCs of current TOPCon silicon solar cells, thus limiting their application for high-performance perovskite/silicon TSCs. In this study, the researchers prepared highly passivated p-type TOPCon structures and double-sided TOPCon bottom cells on industrial textured wafers via industry-compatible fabrication methods, including ambient-pressure thermal oxidation and in situ plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has opened a facility dedicated to taking its printed flexible solar technology out of the lab and into the real world, to help meet the growing demand for renewable energy across sectors. The facility received AUD$6.8 million (around USD$4,473,000) funding from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) via the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP). 

CSIRO’s innovative solar cells are made using perovskites, printed on long continuous rolls of flexible film. This makes them lightweight, portable, and suitable for various applications across urban construction, space, defense, mining, emergency management, disaster relief, and wearables.