Hydrogen – A Big Step Towards Utopia
Perovskite solar module
What is perovskite solar module?
People may find this term unfamiliar because it is a new technology and not yet being widely applied in the market. Perovskite solar cell, combines the benefits of low carbon footprint, high efficiency and low cost. We can say, the perovskite solar module is a strategy toward to net-zero world!
What are the differences between perovskite and other type of solar cells?
Crystalline
Thin-film
Perovskite
Crystalline is the first-generation solar cell type, which can be categorized into monocrystalline and polycrystalline. They are the most commonly used solar cell and occupy over 70% of the solar panel market share. Monocrystalline solar cells have higher power conversion efficiency than polycrystalline's. However, it also costs more than polycrystalline.
Solar cells made by thin-film technology is the second-generation modules. They take over 10% of the solar module market share. The main features are the layers of photovoltaic material are only 1 micron thick (1 solar cell is constructed by multiple layers!), lightweight and flexible.
Perovskite is one of the third-generation solar cell types. (Third-generation consists of multi-junction solar cells and others in the research and development phase.) It takes the advantage of thin-film technology (can achieve 1 micrometre thick) and has similarly high efficiency as the monocrystalline solar cell. The detailed features will be introduced in the following sections.
Discussion: pros and cons of perovskite solar module
Pros:
01
Global warming potential & carbon footprint
From the studies from Life Cycle Assessment, it is found that the glass-blacksheet module has a carbon footprint of 30 g CO2-eq/kWh, while the glass-glass module has a carbon footprint of 13 g CO2-eq/kWh.
On the other hand, the carbon footprint of the perovskite solar cell is only 10.7 g CO2-eq/kWh, which is lower than the commercial silicon-based solar cell.
When compared to the glass-glass module monocrystalline silicon solar cell, one of the least emission solar technologies, the perovskite solar cell’s carbon footprint is 17.7% lower than it. As a result, expanding the application of perovskite solar cells is a carbon reduction strategy and a way toward carbon neutrality.
02
Efficiency
the normal monocrystalline solar module has an efficiency range from 15 to 20%, while the normal perovskite module’s efficiency is approximately 20%.
The development of perovskite solar module also shown its potential on further extension of efficiency. Within 12 years of research and development, the perovskite solar cell maximum efficiency improves from 3.8% to approximately 26%. Thus, scientists recognize its potential to replace the traditional solar cell.
03
Cost
Perovskite solar module is much cost-effective than other dominated solar modules.
Slicon-based solar cell, a dominant incumbent solar technology, its electricity generation cost is approximately 0.25 $/W. If the perovskite solar cell technology becomes mature and shifts to large-scale manufacturing, the potential cost of perovskite solar cells will then decline significantly. According to the most recent techno-economic analysis, the high temperature processed carbon-based perovskite solar module is pretended to offer a minimum sustainable price of 0.21 $/W, while the low temperature processed carbon-based perovskite solar module price will be 0.15 $/W. Which shows that when the perovskite technology tends to be more and more mature and being widely applied and supported, the cost will be competitive with the current dominated technology.
04
Other possibilities
Instead of using a single junction of perovskite in solar cells, it can form multi-junction (tandem architecture) solar cells with other photovoltaic materials to further enhance efficiency. As perovskite can increase the absorption of light in the solar spectrum with different material combinations.
One of the possible solutions is to construct a perovskite-silicon hybrid junction, such that perovskite can improve the effectiveness of solar spectrum absorption of silicon. Hence, it can potential exceeds the conversion efficiency of 33%, which is the theoretical limit of a single junction PV cell.
Cons:
01
Stability
Perovskite solar module has a lower stability at the current stage, where the instability problem is mainly due to hygroscopicity, thermal instability, and ion migration.
Solution:
1. Improve the selection of main materials used for perovskite solar cells manufacturing, ensure the materials have high adaptation perfromance in worse surrounded condition
2. Consider the charge transport materials, structure design, electrode material preparation, and encapsulation methods to raise the perovskite solar cell stability.
02
Lifetime
The lifetime of perovskite solar module is a concern for it to commercialize. Up to the year 2017, the longest lifetime with the stable performance of perovskite solar cells is approximately 1 year, while the commercialized solar cell lifetime is about 25 years, which shows a far distance between the two technologies. To expand the use of perovskite solar cells, some scientists claimed that 10 years will be the foundation of commercialization, where a maximum relative degradation rate of 2 %/year lies within an acceptable range.
Solution:
1. The synthesis of perovskite materials should have less non-reversible or without degradation pathways
2. Adopting the pure inorganic perovskites
3. Improve the stability of pure inorganic perovskites by the usage of mixed cations and halides for better crystal match.
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