A Perspective on the Commercial Viability of Perovskite Solar Cells

Abstract

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received large amount of research funds due to their potential as a front runner in a new generation of solar cells; consequently, desire towards commercializing this technology is mounting. In this roadmap, the knowledge and the technological gaps between laboratory and industry are critically analyzed from the perspective of a 5S criterion (Stability, Safety, Sustainability, Scalability, and Storage). To avoid any favoritism in the arguments toward commercializing this technology, herein, the average parameters of PSCs (photoconversion efficiency, durability, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability) estimated from previous studies are analyzed and discussed. We identify unique opportunities for PSCs in their current stage of achievements, where application-driven, instead of performance-driven developments are shown to favor their commercialization. Efforts required for improving the average performance indicators of PSCs to the level of the state-ofthe art in photovoltaics are also identified and discussed.

Selectively Fluorinated Benzylammonium-Based Spacer Cation Enables Graded Quasi-2D Perovskites for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells

“…Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have been considered as promising materials for use in photovoltaic devices due to their excellent photoelectric properties such as decent light absorption coefficient, great carrier mobility, low exciton binding energy, and long carrier diffusion length. − The photoelectricity conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has reached over 25.7% in the past decade, showing great potential for practical applications . However, the device instability of PSCs has hindered the commercialization process and has become an urgent problem to be solved. , Compared with three-dimensional (3D) counterparts, the quasi-two-dimensional (Q-2D) layered perovskites have better structural and moisture stabilities, which is expected to extend the working life of devices.…”

“…1−3 The photoelectricity conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has reached over 25.7% in the past decade, 4 showing great potential for practical applications. 5 However, the device instability of PSCs has hindered the commercialization process and has become an urgent problem to be solved. 6,7 Compared with three-dimensional (3D) counterparts, the quasi-two-dimensional (Q-2D) layered perovskites have better structural and moisture stabilities, 8 which is expected to extend the working life of devices.…”

CuGaO2 Nanosheet Arrays as the Hole-Transport Layer in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

“…In addition to device reproducibility, long-term stability is also critical for the commercial application of PSCs. Two main external factors affect the long-term stability of PSCs: (i) material failure due to poor thermal stability and (ii) moisture in the environment, which corrodes the perovskite layer and HTL. , To study the thermal aging stability of PSCs, we placed the devices on a heating stage in a glovebox and performed thermal aging tests at a constant temperature of 85 °C. Figure b shows the thermal aging decay states of the perovskite active layers on different substrates.…”

Passivating Grain Boundary Defects with Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane to Achieve Efficient and Stable Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Developing sustainable applica-tion strategies for recycling, redesigning, remanufacturing, and reusing PSCs based on the use of lead-free perovskite materials would greatly reduce and negate the environmental impact of PSCs, making them a more sustainable energy technology. 3,4 Among these lead-free candidate materials under research, Sn-based perovskite stands out from the above nonlead perovskite materials because of its excellent optical band gap, great optical absorption coefficient, extremely high carrier mobility, low exciton binding energy, and other excellent optoelectronic properties. 27−30 Nevertheless, the optoelectronic performance of Sn-based PSCs is inferior to those of Pb-based analogues because Sn perovskite materials have some inherent shortcomings.…”