Panasonic and Sekisui Chemical develop large-area perovskite solar cells

Panasonic and Sekisui Chemical have reportedly developed perovskite-based solar cells that can be attached to walls and curved surfaces.

Panasonic developed a 20cm by 20cm perovskite solar cell. Panels made of these cells can be joined together to create sheets large enough for commercial uses. The company hopes to increase the cells' power generation efficiency to 20%; they are now slightly more than halfway there.

Sekisui Chemical has developed a perovskite solar cell coated with a unique film to prevent it from deteriorating. The cell will be made to last for about 10 years and weigh about 20% of conventional silicon cells, which can be used for 20 years.

The technology is expected to find its way into niche markets that conventional solar cells do not fit into and help large buildings and commercial facilities cheaply supply their own electricity.

In developing the cells, Panasonic and Sekisui Chemical received help from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which is affiliated with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.