Scientists at the University of Queensland have set a new world record for solar cell efficiency using an environmentally friendly material.
Led by Professor Lianzhou Wang, the research team created a tin halide perovskite (THP) solar cell that can convert sunlight into electricity with a certified efficiency of 16.65%.
Their breakthrough has been published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
While a one percent jump in efficiency might seem small, Professor Wang explained that in the solar energy world, where progress often comes in tiny steps, this is a huge achievement.
The new THP solar cell performs on par with many silicon-based solar panels already on the market, but it offers the potential to be cheaper and faster to produce.
This record comes five years after Wang’s team set another solar cell efficiency benchmark using quantum dot technology.
Team member Dr. Dongxu He said that many of the techniques they developed back in 2020 helped them make advances with THP technology.
He pointed out that THP solar cells could have great commercial value because they are more sustainable to manufacture compared to traditional silicon cells.
One major advantage of the new THP cells is their use of tin instead of lead. Most perovskite solar cells rely on lead, which raises environmental and health concerns.
Tin offers a much safer alternative, making these new cells more suitable for use around homes and buildings.
However, working with tin has its own challenges. In the past, tin-based solar cells struggled with poor-quality thin films, leading to lower efficiency.
Dr. Peng Chen explained that the team solved this problem by adding cesium ions, which improved the structure of the THP material and reduced flaws. This improvement allowed the team to set a new efficiency record while still meeting tough environmental safety standards.
Professor Wang said he welcomes competition from other researchers aiming to beat their record, as it will only push the technology forward.
He believes THP solar cells could become a leading choice for household solar panels, both for outdoor rooftops and even indoor applications.
Beyond just solar panels, Wang added that the methods they developed could also benefit other high-tech devices like lasers, photodetectors, and transistors. In the long run, lightweight THP technology could even help power electric aircraft, making it a key part of the future of clean energy.
As Professor Wang puts it, with THP solar cells, the sky really is the limit.
Source: University of Queensland.
