Miracle Material to Boost Solar Efficiency 60-Fold

A groundbreaking chemical treatment for perovskite cells achieves 20.1 percent efficiency, revolutionising solar panels and potentially surpassing traditional silicon-based technology with dramatic performance improvements.

September 03, 2024. By EI News Network

Researchers from Hong Kong have developed a new chemical treatment for perovskite photovoltaic cells which transforms the potential of solar panels by enhancing their ability to convert light into energy by an astonishing factor of 60. This ‘miracle material’ is proving to be far superior to traditional solar panels, which typically rely on silicon cells to convert sunlight into electricity.

It may be noted that Perovskite cells have long been celebrated for their low cost, flexibility, and potential for superior performance compared to conventional silicon-based cells. However, their commercial adoption has been hindered by instability and a short operational lifespan due to defects that lead to charge recombination. The recent breakthrough involves a chemical treatment that significantly improves the cells’ efficiency and durability.

The Hong Kong research team applied a process known as 'passivation,' using a combination of aminosilanes—chemical compounds where silicon atoms are bonded to organic amino groups. By depositing these aminosilanes onto the surface of perovskite cells through steam, they have managed to eliminate defects and substantially boost performance.

This new method has achieved an impressive energy conversion efficiency of 20.1 percent after over 1,500 hours of use, marking a significant leap from previous figures. The treated cells were tested under extreme conditions of 85°C and 60 percent relative humidity, mimicking real-world environments to demonstrate their enhanced stability and efficiency.

This innovation paves the way for large-scale use of perovskite photovoltaic cells, potentially revolutionising solar energy production and offering a powerful alternative to existing solar technologies. The advancement is as remarkable as the introduction of transparent photovoltaic ceramics, signaling a new era in solar energy efficiency.

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Hong Kong

Research in solar technology

Perovskite solar cells

Perovskite

silicon cells

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