Solar power is one of the best ways to produce clean energy, and scientists are always looking for ways to improve solar panels.
A special type of solar cell, called perovskite solar cells, has shown great promise in the lab. When combined with traditional silicon solar cells, they could become the next big breakthrough in solar energy.
However, before perovskite solar cells can be used widely, scientists need to solve challenges like long-term stability and large-scale production.
Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now found that machine learning—a type of artificial intelligence (AI)—can play a key role in making perovskite solar cells ready for industrial production. Their findings were published in Energy & Environmental Science.
How AI improves solar panel production
Perovskite solar cells can be lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. But making them in large quantities while keeping their quality high is difficult.
Professor Ulrich Wilhelm Paetzold, a physicist at KIT, explains that AI can help by monitoring the production process.
Using a technique called deep learning (a form of machine learning that uses neural networks), the researchers were able to predict the quality and efficiency of solar cells faster and more accurately than ever before.
Catching mistakes before they happen
One of the biggest advantages of using AI is that it can detect problems during production. Researcher Felix Laufer, the lead author of the study, explains that their machine learning system can analyze data in real time and find errors before the solar cells are even finished. This means less waste, lower costs, and higher-quality solar panels.
By studying large amounts of data from the production process, the AI can identify connections between how the materials are made and how well they perform. This allows scientists to fine-tune the manufacturing process and create better solar panels faster.
A big step for clean energy
Perovskite solar cells could change the future of solar power, making it cheaper and more efficient. But for that to happen, scientists need to make sure they can be produced reliably on a large scale.
Professor Paetzold believes that AI-powered quality control and data analysis will help make perovskite solar cells ready for commercial use. This research is an important step toward bringing this exciting technology to homes and businesses worldwide.
With AI guiding the way, the future of solar energy looks brighter than ever!
Source: KSR.
