Perovskite solar cells have caught the attention of photovoltaic researchers due to their ability to be easily manufactured at a low cost. These solar materials can be applied in various ways, such as painting, printing, or spraying, making them suitable for use on flexible surfaces.
Perovskite has the potential to provide more efficient energy at a lower cost, but its unpredictable behavior has been a major obstacle. However, researchers have found a solution by using glass, a reliable material that has been used for centuries.
As described by the perovskite startup Caelux, which aims to achieve a solar conversion efficiency of at least 30% with their perovskite tandem solar cells. They believe that their perovskite-coated glass formula, specifically their product Caelux™ One, can come close to reaching this goal. This product can be easily incorporated into current PV module manufacturing processes.
The Caelux-enhanced tandem solar cell can utilize recent advancements in silicon technology to improve the overall efficiency of the solar module.
A relevant question to consider is if placing a layer of perovskite material on glass affects the efficiency of the silicon layer. While it does have an impact, the additional energy generated by the perovskite layer compensates for it and even exceeds the difference.
Last year, the consulting firm ReThink Energy used the example of a 22% efficient silicon cell. Its conversion efficiency drops to 10% with perovskite-coated glass, but the overall total comes out to 27.5%. The difference of 5.5% will make a significant impact on the output of a solar array over its lifespan. But remember the idea is a work in progress.
Reference- PV Magazine, Clean Technica, Interesting Engineering, Vox, Caelux website