A startup in China is preparing to start making super-efficient solar panels from the 'magic material': perovskite.
Scientists at Nanjing University have made a breakthrough in mass production design that can produce a new generation of solar cells at half the cost of traditional silicon cells.
"The raw materials used to produce perovskite cells are cheap and abundant, and the cost of producing these cells is only one-twentieth the cost of traditional solar cells," said Tan Hiren, a professor at Nanjing University.
“Moreover, they are easy to produce and can be made in one plant. Even when other factors are added, the total cost of production is only half that of traditional silicon cells."
Professor Tan created startup Renshin Solar to pursue commercialization of the technology and this summer signed a government deal to build a production line in Jiangsu province.
The plant is expected to have a capacity of 150 megawatts by September, according to the South China Morning Post , and perovskite solar cells could be used on roofs, walls or installed in electric vehicles to increase cell diversity.
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can maintain more than 90 percent of their initial efficiency after 600 hours of continuous operation, the team said. This makes them ideal for commercial use.
The researchers say the next generation of solar cells could be used in applications ranging from integrated building panels to space power generation.
“With low production costs, low-temperature solution processing capabilities, roll-to-roll production, and large-scale tunability, PSCs may be the preferred choice for high-efficiency tandem solar cells,” the study states. . Details of the new design that will go into production.
"Given the rapid development of PV productivity, PSCs are considered ideal candidates for integration with other systems to realize innovative new technologies."
The research "Next generation applications for integrated perovskite solar cells" has been published in the scientific journal "Nature".
The announcement comes a month after the South Korean company announced plans to commercialize perovskite tandem solar cells next year, following a $100 million investment in a pilot production line.
