Perovskite-based solar cells offer economy and efficiency

The results of this work, led by the University of Valencia’s Hendrik Bolink and done in collaboration with researchers from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, have been published in Nature Photonics.

The solar cell consists of a thin perovskite film sandwiched in between two very thin organic semiconductors and the total thickness of the device is less than half a micrometer.

It is claimed the hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite material can be prepared easily and at low cost. In a statement, Bolink said these devices were prepared with low temperature processes similar to those used in the printing industry, which allows the use of flexible plastic substrates.

It is also possible to make the device semi-transparent, which allows their integration with building facades since they are very thin and light weight. In this way the sun light is filtered, protecting the building interior from intense sun light while simultaneously generating electricity.