Proceedings of International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics (HOPV16)
Publication date: 28th March 2016
The challenge of bringing perovskite solar cells (PSC) from the lab bench, where they have achieved over 20% efficiency [1], to the factory gate goes through few but far from trivial steps: the identification and optimisation of materials and processes, suitable for the production upscale, while reducing costs; the effective engineering of efficient modules’ design; and a certified long-term stability.This work focusses on the latter. Rapid degradation has been observed and reported so far as the result of different factors, such as light, humidity and temperature, simultaneously present during real operation. To improve the stability of PSCs, two strategies can be adopted and synergistically combined: a proper, effective encapsulation from the external environment and a shrewd choice of stable active materials within the cell architecture.A set of standard testing procedures is thus mandatory to test different strategic solutions within the same group/lab and, more widely, to compare results within the research community. We have adopted ISOS standards [2] and here present our first outcomes, testing different active materials and cell architecture.We have also investigated the presence and role of residual solvent in the perovskite layer during PV operation and its influence on efficiency and stability, crucial parameters to be jointly considered in the future improvement of PSCs.
[1] Green, Martin A., et al. "Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 45)." Progress in photovoltaics: research and applications 23.1 (2015): 1-9.
[2] Reese, Matthew O., et al. "Consensus stability testing protocols for organic photovoltaic materials and devices." Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells95.5 (2011): 1253-1267.