CU Boulder spearheads revolutionary advancement in solar cell production

CU Boulder spearheads revolutionary advancement in solar cell production

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 22, 2024

The solar energy world is poised for a significant shift as University of Colorado Boulder scientists, in collaboration with international partners, develop an innovative manufacturing method for perovskite solar cells, potentially surpassing the efficiency of traditional silicon-based panels.

This development, detailed in a February 26 publication in Nature Energy, centers on a novel approach to creating perovskite cells, a synthetic semiconducting material that could convert solar power more effectively and at a lower cost than current silicon cells, which are capped at a 22% efficiency rate. Michael McGehee, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, emphasized the potential of perovskites to dramatically increase the efficiency of solar panels by absorbing a wider spectrum of the sun’s rays.

A key innovation in the study is the use of dimethylammonium formate (DMAFo) in the perovskite solution, which allows for the semiconductor to be coated onto glass plates in ambient air without oxidation, a critical step towards large-scale commercial production. This method not only preserves the efficiency of perovskite cells at nearly 25% but also significantly enhances their stability compared to current standards.

The longevity and durability of perovskite cells made with DMAFo were proven in tests showing a 90% efficiency retention after 700 hours under simulated sunlight, marking a substantial improvement over cells without this additive.

McGehee’s work, part of the Tandems for Efficient and Advanced Modules using Ultrastable Perovskites (TEAMUP) project, aims to develop tandem cells that combine perovskite and silicon technologies to achieve over 30% efficiency. Funded by a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the TEAMUP consortium is advancing towards creating solar cells that are not only more efficient but also competitively priced and stable over a 25-year lifespan.

These advancements hold promise for a wide array of applications, from extending the range of electric vehicles with solar-powered roofs to providing renewable energy for drones and sailboats. McGehee’s vision for perovskite cells to eventually dominate the solar market underscores the transformative potential of this research, bringing the industry closer to a renewable energy future.

Research Report:Inhibition of halide oxidation and deprotonation of organic cations with dimethylammonium formate for air-processed p-i-n perovskite solar cells

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