Perovskite Solar - Page 64

Researchers from EPFL, Tianjin University, Nanjing Tech University, The University of Tokyo, Shanghai University and Toyota Motor Corporation have used ionic liquids (ILs) with halide anions as additives to improve the performance and stability of a perovskite solar cell.

Image from study in Cell Reports Physical Science

Ionic liquids are viewed as a "greener" alternative to organic solvents due to their lower volatility and flammability, as well as to their wide liquid-state window.

Researchers from South Korea's Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and Korea University have developed perovskite micro cells with a power conversion efficiency of 20.1% that can be used in colored solar windows.

the colored solar window with the metal'insulator'metal (MIM) resonant structure. The inset shows a cross-sectional view of the perovskite microcell in the colored solar window. Image from Nature Communications

The devices were built using a lift-off-based patterning approach based on swelling-induced crack propagation.

A group of scientists from the University of Wuppertal, the University of Tübingen, the University of Potsdam, HZB, Max Planck Institute and the University of Cologne in Germany recently developed a perovskite-organic tandem solar cell with optimized charge extraction, a high open-circuit voltage and a thickness of just 1 µm.

The tandem configuration includes a narrow-bandgap organic subcell with a p-i-n-type architecture based on the polymer PM6 and molybdenum oxide (MoOx) as the hole extraction layer (HEL). The cell has a power conversion efficiency of 17.5%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.87 V, a short-circuit current of 26.7 mA cm'², and a fill factor of 75%. The wide-bandgap perovskite subcell was built with a perovskite known as FA_0.8Cs_0.2Pb(I_0.5Br_0.5)₃, with an efficiency of 16.8%, an open-circuit voltage of 1.34 V, a short-circuit current of 15.6 mA cm'², and a fill factor of 81%.

The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), aiming to fast-track tandem solar technology's time to market, has put two new high-performance coating plants into operation.

The systems produce tandem solar cells consisting of a perovskite solar cell that can be combined with other types of solar cells. The various layers are deposited under ultra-clean conditions. Companies in the solar sector can take advantage of these capabilities to optimize their developments in the area of tandem solar cells.

A team of scientists, led by Mohammad Nazeeruddin at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), has found a way to address the scaling up challenges of perovskites. The scientists have developed an easy solvothermal method to produce single-crystalline titanium dioxide rhombohedral nanoparticles that can be used to build a perovskite film.

The new structure is said to feature a lower amount of lattice mismatches, referring to the "ladder-like" structure of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles. This translates into a lower number of defects, which ensures better electron flow throughout with lower power loss.

Tandem PV, a California-based photovoltaic technology company specializing in ultra-high-efficiency tandem metal-halide perovskite solar panels, has announced closing the initial $6 million of its $12 million Series A financing round. Tandem PV will use the funds to build a pilot manufacturing facility in San Jose, California.

The round was led by Bioeconomy Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm, through its new Planetary Technologies fund, with participation from an international solar manufacturer and a U.S. utility company.

A research team, co-led by scientists from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and Imperial College London, has developed highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.

Among the different types of perovskite solar cells, those with an inverted design configuration have exhibited exceptional stability, making them good candidates to reach the lifetime of commercial silicon solar cells. However, perovskite materials include chemically reactive components, which can easily volatilize and degrade under high temperature and humidity, shortening the solar cells' operational lifetime. Also, there is still a need for strategy to enhance the efficiency of inverted perovskite solar cells up to 25% to rival that of silicon solar cells, while maintaining their stability.

Saule Technologies, Columbus Energy and Somfy Polska have signed a strategic cooperation agreement focused on developing innovative solutions for existing buildings and building projects under construction.

This recent agreement finalizes the understanding which the companies made in August 2021 on the occasion of launching the commercial application of Saule Technologies' sun blinds, which are sun breakers with perovskite solar cells.

The European Commission has recently given the green light to an agreement to finance the NEXUS project, focused on the development of innovative processes for TANGO HJT/Perovskite technology for the production of sustainable and high-performance photovoltaic modules.

Coordinated by the University of Oxford, the NEXUS project is supported by a multidisciplinary consortium with 12 partners from 9 European countries; 5 industrial partners, including 2 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and 7 research and technology organizations.

After securing an investment from SPARX Group's Mirai Creation Fund III last month, Japan-based EneCoat Technologies, developer of materials for perovskite solar cells, has received an undisclosed sum from Mitsubishi Materials and NGK Insulators.

This is Mitsubishi's second investment in EneCoat, following the one in May 2020 through its MMC Innovation Investment Limited Partnership (CVC). Mitsubishi says it aims to strengthen the relationship with EneCoat through this additional financing to work on the development of materials for the electron transport layer. Mitsubishi is already collaborating with EneCoat on its R&D.