Solar Energy News
SOLAR DAILY
Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high
illustration only
Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024

Researchers at Tsinghua University have made a significant breakthrough in the efficiency of flexible solar cells, leveraging a novel fabrication technique to set a new efficiency record. This advancement addresses the longstanding challenge of the lower energy conversion efficiency in flexible solar cells compared to their rigid counterparts, offering promising implications for aerospace and flexible electronics applications.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs), despite their potential, have historically lagged in efficiency due to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based flexible substrate's inherent softness and inhomogeneity. This limitation, coupled with durability issues arising from the substrate's susceptibility to water and oxygen infiltration, has hindered the practical deployment of FPSCs.

The team from the State Key Laboratory of Power System Operation and Control at Tsinghua University, alongside collaborators from the Center for Excellence in Nanoscience at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing, introduced a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. This method facilitates the deposition of tin oxide (SnO2) on flexible substrates without the need for strong acids, which are detrimental to such substrates. Tin oxide is essential for the FPSCs as it acts as an electron transport layer, crucial for the cells' power conversion efficiency.

Associate Professor Chenyi Yi, a senior author of the study, explained, "Our method utilizes SnSO4 tin sulfate instead of SnCl2 tin chloride, making it suitable for acid-sensitive flexible substrates. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of FPSCs but also their durability, with a new power conversion efficiency benchmark set at 25.09%, certified at 24.90%."

The novel fabrication technique also contributes to the FPSCs' stability, as demonstrated by the cells maintaining 90% of their initial efficiency after being bent 10,000 times. The researchers noted an improved high-temperature stability in SnSO4-based FPSCs over those made with SnCl2, pointing towards the dual benefits of efficiency and durability enhancements.

The research signifies a leap towards industrial-scale production of high-efficiency FPSCs, with potential applications ranging from wearable technology and portable electronics to aerospace power sources and large-scale renewable energy solutions. The team's findings, supported by Ningyu Ren, Liguo Tan, Minghao Li, Junjie Zhou, Yiran Ye, Boxin Jiao, and Liming Ding, mark a pivotal step in transitioning FPSCs from laboratory to commercial use.

Research Report:25% - Efficiency flexible perovskite solar cells via controllable growth of SnO2

Related Links
Tsinghua University
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SOLAR DAILY
Cambridge working to unlock new solar energy pathways
London, UK (SPX) Mar 21, 2024
In a study conducted by the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory and AMOLF in Amsterdam, researchers have uncovered innovative methods to enhance solar energy capture, shifting the focus from solely improving solar cell efficiency. The study, recently published in Joule, delves into the application of machine learning and neural networks to analyze solar radiation patterns across the globe, aiming to optimize solar cell output in various geographical settings. Despite the initial goal to ... read more

SOLAR DAILY
Transforming CO2 into green fuel with innovative sunlight-powered catalyst

Tripling the US Bioeconomy: The Billion-Ton Report's Blueprint for Sustainable Biomass

Turning CO2 into Methanol at Room Temperature

Greenhouse gas repurposed in University of Auckland experiments

SOLAR DAILY
Engineering household robots to have a little common sense

ESA to build digital Chat assistant powered by EO data

White House sets policies for federal AI use

3D-Printed Brain Phantom Pioneers Advanced Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases

SOLAR DAILY
Swedish-Belgian group wins Norway's first offshore wind license

Wind-powered Dutch ship sets sail for greener future

Leaf-shaped generators create electricity from the wind and rain

European offshore wind enjoys record year in 2023

SOLAR DAILY
China's competitive car market at heart of global EV revolution

China's Xiaomi enters car market with new electric vehicle

Green truckin': US finalizes new heavy-vehicle pollution standards

China files WTO complaint over US electric vehicle subsidies

SOLAR DAILY
Dig deep: US bets on geothermal to become renewable powerhouse

Setting a laser like sight on a path to practical fusion

Unveiling a new class of plasma waves: implications for fusion energy

KULR Technology Secures Key Contract with Nanoracks to Boost Space Battery Innovation

SOLAR DAILY
France eyes spent uranium plant to bypass Russia: ministry

Future nuclear power reactors could rely on molten salts - but what about corrosion?

GE Vernova and UK Industry Explore Small Modular Reactor Deployment at Sheffield Conference

Russian strike severs power line to Ukraine nuclear plant

SOLAR DAILY
Research highlights Australia's carbon credit 'catastrophe'

Iraq to import electricity from Jordan

Poorer countries need money before raising climate targets: COP29 head

Sweden off-track to meet climate goals: expert agency

SOLAR DAILY
Presidents of Brazil, France announce green investment plan on Amazon visit

Brazil's Indigenous people turn to EU to save their savanna

Brazil Amazon deforestation lowest in Jan-Feb period since 2018

EU visit seeks to soothe S.America worries about deforestation trade rules

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.