Scientists develop spray-on solar cells
27 August 2014
Power Electronics / Power Management
A team of scientists at the UK’s University of Sheffield has become the first to fabricate perovskite solar cells using a spray-painting process – a discovery that could help cut the cost of solar electricity.
Efficient organometal halide perovskite-based photovoltaics were first demonstrated in 2012, and this highly promising material is gaining in popularity for solar cells as it combines high efficiency with low materials costs.
Experts from the university’s department of physics and astronomy, and department of chemical and biological engineering, have previously used the spray-painting method to produce solar cells using organic semiconductors, but using perovskite is a major step forward. The process wastes very little of the perovskite material and can be scaled to high-volume manufacturing in a way similar to applying paint to cars and graphic printing.
Lead researcher, Professor David Lidzey, said: “There is a lot of excitement around perovskite-based photovoltaics. Remarkably, this class of material offers the potential to combine the high performance of mature solar cell technologies with the low embedded energy costs of production of organic photovoltaics.”
While most solar cells are manufactured using energy intensive materials like silicon, perovskites, by comparison, require much less energy to make. By spray-painting the perovskite layer in air the team hopes the overall energy used to make a solar cell can be reduced further.
According to Lidzey, “The best certified efficiencies from organic solar cells are around 10%. Perovskite cells now have efficiencies of up to 19%. This is not so far behind that of silicon at 25% – the material that dominates the worldwide solar market.”
He explains that the perovskite devices his team has created still use similar structures to organic cells, but replace the key light absorbing layer – the organic layer – with the spray-painted perovskite. “Using a perovskite absorber instead of an organic absorber gives a significant boost in terms of efficiency,” Lidzey says. “This study advances existing work where the perovskite layer has been deposited from solution using laboratory scale techniques. It’s a significant step towards efficient, low-cost solar cell devices made using high-volume, roll-to-roll processing methods.”
Further reading:
The role of bidirectional charging in the evolving energy landscape
Avnet Silica
Power Electronics / Power Management
As reliance on renewable sources like wind and solar continues to grow, the need for efficient energy flow and storage solutions has become more critical than ever.
Read more...
How to calculate a buck converter’s inductance
Power Electronics / Power Management
In the buck circuit, the inductor design is a key element that is closely related to system efficiency, the output voltage ripple, and loop stability.
Read more...
High-current EMI filters
Accutronics
Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK has introduced 20 and 40 A, 80 V DC board-mount EMI filters, reducing differential mode conducted emissions for switching power supplies with high input current requirements.
Read more...
Isolated SMD DC-DC converters
iCorp Technologies
Power Electronics / Power Management
MinMax has launched a series of isolated SMD DC-DC converters, the MSU01 series delivering 1 W, while the MSU02 series offers 2 W output.
Read more...
Next-gen power meter
Electrocomp Express
Power Electronics / Power Management
The VT-PWR-LV is a next-gen Vista Touch power meter from Trumeter for single, split, and three-phase systems.
Read more...
Advanced PMIC for high-performance AI applications
ASIC Design Services
Power Electronics / Power Management
Microchip Technology has announced the MCP16701, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) designed to meet the needs of high-performance MPU and FPGA designers.
Read more...
New SiC power MOSFET
Future Electronics
Power Electronics / Power Management
STMicroelectronics’ SCT012H90G3AG is a robust, automotive-grade SiC MOSFET, engineered for demanding power electronics, featuring a 900?V drain-source voltage and exceptionally low on-resistance of 12?mO at 60?A.
Read more...
Fundamental motor control design challenges and solutions
Power Electronics / Power Management
Mouser Electronics has announced a new eBook in collaboration with Qorvo, featuring industry experts providing key insights into methods, power efficiency and integration solutions available for motor control applications.
Read more...
Power management IC for battery products
Power Electronics / Power Management
The nPM1304 PMIC complements Nordic’s nPM1300 PMIC with a highly integrated, ultra-low power solution and precision fuel gauging for small size battery applications.
Read more...
Powering Innovation eBook: Changing what’s possible
Power Electronics / Power Management
This exclusive read, entitled ‘Changing what’s Possible,’ delves into how power dense Vicor modules enable many world-changing innovations across various sectors.
Read more...
printer friendly version