February 2025

An international research collaboration, led by Prof. Antonio Abate from Germany's Bielefeld University, has addressed the stability issue of perovskite solar cells by exploring the effects of multiple thermal cycles on microstructures and interactions between different layers of perovskite solar cells. They concluded that thermal stress is the decisive factor in the degradation of metal-halide perovskites. Based on this, they derived the most promising strategies to increase the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells.

In the experiment, perovskite solar cells were repeatedly cooled to minus 150 degrees Celsius and then heated to plus 150 degrees Celsius. The changes in the microstructure of the perovskite layer and the interactions with the neighboring layers were studied over the course of the cycles. © Li Guixiang

The international research collaboration has published the results of several years of work. Together with a team led by Prof. Meng Li, Henan University, China, and other partners in Italy, Spain, UK, Switzerland and Germany, they showed that thermal stress is the decisive factor in the degradation of metal-halide perovskites. "When used outdoors, solar modules are exposed to the weather and the seasons", says Abate. While encapsulation can effectively protect the cells from moisture and atmospheric oxygen, they are still exposed to quite large temperature variations day and night and throughout the year. Depending on the geographical conditions, temperatures inside the solar cells can range from minus 40 degrees Celsius to plus 100 degrees Celsius (in the desert, for example).

Researchers from the University of Sheffield, Power Roll, National Physical Laboratory and Swansea University have developed a new type of back contact (BC) solar cell design, using perovskite.

The team used a Hard X-ray nanoprobe microscope at Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire to take detailed images of the solar cells whose traditional structure resembles a sandwich with several layers deposited in a specific order. Claiming this to be the 1^st time such an analysis was carried out, the microscope helped them see hidden problems such as empty spaces, flaws and boundaries between tiny crystals within the semiconductor material.

UbiQD, a developer and manufacturer of quantum dot technology, has acquired BlueDot Photonics. The deal includes perovskite-based quantum cutting technology and exclusive rights to BlueDot’s associated intellectual property, initially developed (and licensed from) the University of Washington.

Seattle-based BlueDot Photonics develops solutions to improve solar panel performance. BlueDot's doped perovskite materials convert high-energy photons into nearly twice as many lower-energy photons, according to the company, and the technology could increase silicon solar panel efficiency by up to 16%. The technology has the potential to reduce the cost of solar energy generation and push photovoltaic performance beyond the theoretical limits of traditional silicon-based cells.

 North Carolina State University researchers have demonstrated a new technique that uses light to tune the optical properties of quantum dots – making the process faster, more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable – without compromising material quality.

“The discovery of quantum dots earned the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2023 because they are used in so many applications,” says Milad Abolhasani, corresponding author of a paper on the work and ALCOA Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State. “We use them in LEDs, solar cells, displays, quantum technologies and so on. To tune their optical properties, you need to tune the bandgap of quantum dots – the minimum energy required to excite an electron from a bound state to a free-moving state – since this directly determines the color of light they emit. Existing methods for bandgap tuning of perovskite quantum dots rely on chemical modifications or high-temperature reactions, both of which are energy-intensive and can introduce inconsistencies in the final material properties. Our new approach uses light to drive the reaction, which requires less energy and allows us to be incredibly precise.”

Recently, a University of Louisville team of researchers used nanoparticle inks by Sofab Inks (a U of Louisville spinout) to create PSCs with ~20% PCE on flexible substrates. Their study addresses the solvent scope and perovskite compatibility of acetate-stabilized yttrium-doped SnO₂ (Y:SnO₂) dispersions.

Tin oxide (SnO₂) stands out as a compelling electron transport material (ETM) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), boasting exceptional optoelectronic properties, coupled with low-temperature solution processability, cost-effectiveness, and remarkable stability. However, the widespread application of SnO₂ has been hindered by solvent incompatibilities, limiting its use to devices where it is deposited beneath the perovskite layer. To unlock the full potential of SnO₂ and expand its use across various device structures, including inverted PSCs and tandem devices, innovative deposition strategies will need to be developed. These advancements could pave the way for more efficient and versatile solar cell designs, pushing the field of photovoltaics forward.

The scientists showed that dispersions in several lower alcohols and select polar aprotic solvents can be directly deposited on perovskite using scalable and low-temperature processes. In addition, they are compatible with various perovskite formulations, including those with mixed cations and mixed anions.

It was reported that China-based Risen Energy, a company primarily focused on grid-connected PV power generation systems, announced its new achievement in the research and development of perovskite and HJT tandem solar cells. A power conversion efficiency of 30.99% was reportedly achieved by Risen Energy’s R&D institution, and the result was confirmed by the China National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Solar Photovoltaic Products Quality (CPVT).

As a leading solar module manufacturer in China, Risen Energy believes that HJT solar cells with unique structure and features are promising products among p-type and n-type single junction solar cells. HJT’s advantages are significant in perovskite and silicon tandem solar cells, making it naturally suitable as a base for tandem cells. HJT is seen as one of the best bottom cells for crystalline silicon and perovskite tandem cells. Other types of crystalline silicon cells, due to the lack of ITO film, require redesign of the structure prior to tandem processing, which increases cost and complexity.

The upcoming Perovskite Connect 2025 in-person conference will take place on October 22-23, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. This premier event will bring together leading experts from industry and academia to explore groundbreaking advancements in perovskite technology, the industry and the market.

Unlike traditional conferences, Perovskite Connect 2025 will have an industry-focused approach. that emphasizes networking opportunities and market entry strategies. Attendees can look forward to tours, masterclasses, an exhibition, and more. It is co-located with Europe's leading printed electronics tradeshow - this synergy will showcase technologies crucial for perovskite development and mass production and will attract a large attendance.

While the final agenda is to be disclosed, the lineup of confirmed speakers already includes major international players like: Microquanta, Perovskia, Power Roll, P3C, CEA Leti, Sofab Inks, PV-ART, Solaveni, Heliatek, Aerosolar, SALD, Solaires, FOM Technologies, P3C, CHOSE and more!

Don't miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of perovskite innovation. Join us at Perovskite Connect 2025 and help shape the future of this transformative technology!

Panasonic has announced it will exhibit an artistic prototype based on glass-type perovskite solar cells at the Panasonic Group Pavilion "Nomo no Kuni" at the 2025 World Expo in Japan (Osaka-Kansai Expo). For this Expo, Panasonic has collaborated with Heralbony, which has worked on many projects to decorate towns with artworks drawn by artists with disabilities, to express "Kaede no Scissors" by Wajima Kaede, a contracted artist of the company.

Image credit: Panasonic

Panasonic's glass-type perovskite solar cells are characterized by their high degree of freedom in size, transparency, and drawing, achieved by combining unique material technology, inkjet coating methods, and laser processing technology. The company is currently developing the technology to commercialize the "power-generating glass". This prototype makes use of these features, broadening the scope of design expression using perovskite solar cells and demonstrating the possibility of creating a world where electricity is generated in a more natural way. This is the world's first case (according to Panasonic research as of February 14, 2025) where art has been expressed using perovskite solar cells.

Microquanta has announced the completion of what it claims to be the world's largest building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) project based on perovskite solar panels. Installed on the translucent roof of the University Student Entrepreneurship Center in Shenchi County, Shanxi Province, the project has a capacity of 17.92 kWp. 

Microquanta specified that its custom-designed double-glass perovskite modules measure 1,200 mm x 1,000 mm and achieve a light transmittance of around 40%, allowing daylight into the building interior while generating electricity.

Researchers from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University and France's University of Lille (CNRS) have developed a biomass-derived furan-based conjugated polymer, PBDF-DFC, enabling a simplified direct precursor integration fabrication method for hybrid perovskite solar cells (HPSCs). 

Unlike traditional thiophene-based polymers, PBDF-DFC reportedly exhibits high solubility in perovskite precursor solvents, allowing direct incorporation into the precursor solution. This direct precursor integration approach could significantly streamline the fabrication process, reducing steps and potentially lowering production costs.