The Physikalisch-Technische  Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany’s national metrology institute, has modernized its solar module calibration system, achieving a measurement uncertainty of just 0.9%—currently the lowest known uncertainty for a power measurement of silicon solar modules under standard test conditions worldwide. 

This achievement was made possible by a new setup based on an LED solar simulator developed by WAVELABS.

Researchers from India's Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, University of Delhi, Manipal University and Sweden's IAAM have combined 2D and 3D perovskites to strengthen both reliability and efficiency of 3D perovskite solar cells (PSCs). 

The team explored the combined effect of Dion-Jacobson (DJ) 2D-3D halide-based perovskites layers on device performance. The DJ 2D material used was PeDAMA₄Pb₅I₁₆, while the 3D material is the lead-free, stable CsGeI_3-xBr_x (with x=1). The optimized solar cell structure developed in this work consisted of (Au/Cu₂O/PeDAMA₄Pb₅I₁₆/CsGeI_3-xBr_x/PCBM/FTO). 

Researchers from Spain's UPV/EHU, ICIQ-BIST, CIDETEC and Mexico's Instituto Politécnico Nacional have explored the effect of chalcogen substitutions in fullerene derivatives to enhance efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells.

The team examined the effects of chalcogen substitution in the chemical structure of phenyl-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) on the performance and stability of inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). PCBMs are the most widely used electron transport materials in inverted PSCs. However, these compounds can suffer from lack of stability under irradiation. In the race for optimizing the PCBM-like derivatives, the thiophene moiety has garnered significant attention for enhancing the performance and stability of PSCs. The novelty in this study relies on the tests done on the selenophene derivative. This compound was compared to thiophene and furan substituted derivatives, and to the reference PCBM without a chalcogenophene moiety, demonstrating a better surface passivation and reduced interfacial charge recombination.

Carbon-based all-inorganic perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) are known for their inexpensive manufacturing process. However, their perovskite constituents are susceptible to the formation of numerous structural defects and halide vacancies, which can induce substantial energy level misalignments between the light-absorbing layer and the carbon electrode. This discrepancy hinders the extraction and transfer of holes, thereby adversely affecting the overall efficiency of the device. 

Image credit: Chemical Engineering Journal

Researchers from China's Huaqiao University have proposed an interfacial post-treatment strategy aimed at reinforcing perovskite layers through the application of Neostigmine bromide (NMB) as a modifier. The team employed NMB to treat the upper interface of the perovskite, addressing intrinsic phase segregation, passivating surface defects, and filling halogen vacancies, thereby enhancing the photoelectric performance and stability of the device.