Printable solar cells for the mass market

The experimental perovskite cells are flexible, affordable, and can be scaled

Spotted: In 2023, solar photovoltaics accounted for 4.5 per cent of total global electricity generation. Crystalline polysilicon remains the dominant technology for PV modules, but silicon-based solar technologies face challenges, such as high production costs and limited flexibility, in product applications. 

Now, a research team at City University of Hong Kong, led by Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, has developed a new generation of printable perovskite solar cells. These not only offer higher efficiency and stability than silicon PVs, but also lower cost and improved scalability, with a minimal carbon footprint.

The novel cells are manufactured from perovskite precursor inks, which can be easily printed onto a substrate to form thin polycrystalline perovskite films. This means the solar cells can be rapidly mass-produced, a bit like printing newspapers. The cells have superior mechanical flexibility, making them suitable for various applications, including windows, and for powering IoT sensors and wearable electronics. 

Printing the solar cells also significantly reduces energy consumption and production costs compared to traditional silicon solar cells, which require high-temperature processes and many different processing steps. According to the researchers, the perovskite solar cells can be manufactured for around half the cost of silicon cells.

The researchers have received funding support from the inaugural Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme of the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong government. They have also established a spin-off company, HKTech Solar Limited, and formed a strategic partnership with Towngas Energy Academy to develop commercial-oriented perovskite solar products.

Written By: Lisa Magloff