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Researchers from the University of Oxford's Department of Physics have made a major advancement in photovoltaic technology, pushing beyond the limitations of silicon-based solar panels. Their innovative approach utilises a new power-generating material that could be applied to everyday objects such as cars, rucksacks and mobile phones, and could transform the way we harness solar energy.
Led by Dr. Shuafeng Hu, his team has developed an ultra-thin and flexible thin-film perovskite material that is just over one micron thick. Unlike traditional silicon photovoltaics, this material can be applied to almost any surface, broadening the applications of solar energy. Dr. Hu explains: “After just five years of experimenting with our stacking approach, we have increased the power conversion efficiency from about 6% to over 27%, which is close to the limit of what can be achieved today with single-layer photovoltaics. We believe that this approach can enable photovoltaic devices to achieve efficiencies of over 45%.”
The science behind the innovation
The innovation lies in the multi-junction technology, which stacks multiple light absorbing layers into one solar cell, allowing the material to utilize a wider range of the light spectrum and generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight. Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has independently certified the energy efficiency of this material, confirming its ability to match the performance of conventional silicon photovoltaics.
Dr Junke Wang, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, highlights the importance of this development: “By using a new material that can be applied as a coating, we have shown that it is possible to replicate and even outperform silicon while gaining flexibility. This is crucial as it offers the potential for more solar power generation without relying on silicon-based panels or specially constructed solar power plants.”
The potential applications of this technology are vast: the ultra-thin material can be applied to a variety of surfaces, from building facades to car roofs, incorporating solar energy into everyday objects and structures. The versatility and high efficiency of this material make it a potential revolution in the renewable energy sector.
Henry Snaith, professor of renewable energy at the University of Oxford, sees this innovation as the basis for a new industry: “The latest developments in solar materials and technologies demonstrated in our lab could be the basis of a new industry that utilises existing buildings, vehicles and objects to manufacture materials that generate solar energy more sustainably and cost-effectively,” he says.
Future Applications
The researchers are confident that their approach could further reduce the cost of solar energy, in keeping with global trends that have already seen the average price of solar power fall by nearly 90% since 2010. The technology could potentially deliver further cost savings by reducing the need for silicon panels and dedicated solar power plants.
Oxford PV, a spin-out company from Oxford University founded by Professor Snaith, has already begun large-scale production of perovskite photovoltaics at its factory in Germany. This facility is the world's first mass production line for perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells, marking a major step towards the commercialisation of the technology.
But Professor Snaath warns that the UK could miss an opportunity to lead this emerging global industry if it does not provide the incentives and support needed to commercialise these innovations. “The supply of these materials will be a fast-growing new industry in the global green economy. We have shown that the UK is innovating and leading the way scientifically, but without new incentives and a better pathway to translate this innovation into manufacturing, the UK will miss an opportunity to lead this new global industry,” he warned.
