With salt to better perovskite solar cells

The problem with perovskite solar cells, however, is their lifespan. But this could be eliminated by a protective layer of salt.

Photo: Fraunhofer ISE

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a relatively new class of photovoltaic materials. These have attracted much attention due to their excellent optoelectronic properties and simplicity and potentially low fabrication cost. In 2021, the record efficiency of converting solar energy into electricity reached 26 percent, which is comparable to the most efficient silicon solar cells. Some perovskite solar cells can reach up to 47% efficiency.

The problem with perovskite solar cells, however, is their lifespan. In the best case, they can be used for a maximum of one year. Classic solar cells still retain 80% efficiency after 20 years. But this problem could be solved with the help of salt. This creates a protective coating that protects the solar cells from the negative effects of sunlight.

The protective salt coating is said to increase the lifetime of perovskite solar cells by up to 30 years. In addition, it should also help to increase the efficiency of these types of sap cells. If everything goes according to plan, we could see these types of solar cells on the market in the next few years.