Researchers at the Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a theory that may explain the origins of perovskite solar cells' thermal stability.

The research group's analysis was focused on five types of halide compounds combining both bromide and iodide. 'This combination works particularly well because it allows for the 'tuning' of the bandgap, or the minimum amount of photon energy needed to generate electricity in the material,' they said, adding that this solution is ideal when perovskite PV devices are used in tandem solar cells.

Researchers at Imperial college London and the University of Bath have found the mechanism that causes perovskite-based solar cells to break down, and suggested a potential solution.

Versions of perovskite solar cells that use tin instead of lead tend to degrade quickly. Now, the researchers at Imperial and the University of Bath have shown how these perovskites degrade to tin iodide, which, when exposed to moisture and oxygen, forms iodine. This iodine then helps form more tin iodide, causing cyclic degradation.

China-based perovskite photovoltaic module developer, UtmoLight, recently launched its new integrated solutions, named Utmorigin that reportedly enable large-area preparation, high efficiency and high stability of perovskite solar cells and include three novel techniques.

During the press conference held for the launch, UtmoLight signed strategic cooperation agreements with partners including SVOLT, an emerging lithium batteries company, FTXT which specializes in hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology, and Greatwall Estate. Together they will explore the application of perovskite solar technology in hydrogen production, energy storage, green construction and more.

Australian researchers from the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, both based at UNSW in Sydney, have reported that singlet fission and tandem solar cells ' two innovative ways to generate solar power more efficiently ' also help to lower operating temperatures and keep devices running for longer.

Tandem cells can be made from a combination of silicon ' the most commonly used photovoltaics material ' and new compounds like perovskite nanocrystals, which can have a larger bandgap than silicon and help the device to capture more of the solar spectrum for energy generation. Singlet fission is a technique that produces twice the electronic charge carriers than normal for each photon of light that's absorbed. Tetracene is used in these devices to transfer the energy generated by singlet fission into silicon.

The Graphene Flagship, a $1 billion European graphene initiative, has launched a new Spearhead Project called GRAPES, that aims to make cost-effective, stable graphene-enabled perovskite solar panels.

The project will set out to play an essential role in improving Europe's uptake of solar energy projects by improving the stability and efficiency of this technology when deployed on a large scale. As a European Commission funded project, the Graphene Flagship GRAPES initiative has been established to help Europe meet its ambitious sustainability goals.

A research team from Brown University has reported a major step toward improving the long-term reliability of perovskite solar cells. In the new study, the team demonstrated a 'molecular glue' that keeps a key interface inside cells from degrading. The treatment dramatically increases cells' stability and reliability over time, while also improving the efficiency with which they convert sunlight into electricity.

'There have been great strides in increasing the power-conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells,' said Nitin Padture, a professor of engineering at Brown University and senior author of the new research. 'But the final hurdle to be cleared before the technology can be widely available is reliability ' making cells that maintain their performance over time. That's one of the things my research group has been working on, and we're happy to report some important progress.'