Solar Energy
New defect passivation strategy enhances efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells
New defect passivation strategy enhances efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Sep 15, 2024
Solar energy continues to be a critical component in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Over time, solar cells have seen substantial advancements, making them increasingly efficient at harnessing renewable energy.
Metal-halide perovskite has emerged as a key material for solar cells due to its impressive optoelectronic properties, which allow it to effectively convert sunlight into energy.
One of the leading materials for creating high power conversion efficiency (PCE) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is polycrystalline formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3), known for its narrow energy band gap. However, despite its excellent properties, polycrystalline perovskites like FAPbI3 suffer from defects in their crystal structure. These imperfections affect their structural stability and energy conversion abilities, hindering their overall performance.
In response to this challenge, a research team led by Professor Hobeom Kim from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) has developed an innovative defect passivation strategy aimed at significantly reducing these defects and improving both the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. Their study, published on 04 July 2024 in ‘Nature Communications’, introduced a hexagonal polytype (6H) perovskite into the cubic polytype (3C) FAPbI3. This development led to a significant improvement in PCE compared to other variants.
“A typical approach so far has been to introduce an external chemical reagent to deal with the defect problem. However, bringing in external reagents could directly impact the crystalline quality of the perovskite during crystal growth, so our work does not rely on such stabilizers. Instead, we employ a chemically identical polytype of perovskite, 6H polytype containing a corner-sharing component that effectively suppresses the formation of defects in perovskite,” explains Prof. Kim.
The team integrated the 6H perovskite into FAPbI3 using an excess of lead iodide and methylammonium chloride. This process created a component that interacted with the primary defect site of the cubic polytype (3C) FAPbI3, enhancing its structural integrity and carrier dynamics. The result was an ultralong carrier lifetime of over 18 microseconds and PSCs with a PCE of 24.13%. The module achieved a PCE of 21.92%, with a certified efficiency of 21.44%, along with long-term operational stability.
The researchers suggested that the combination of the 3C and 6H polytypes could be the optimal configuration for a polycrystalline perovskite film. This discovery paves the way for further advancements in PSC technology, making it more viable for both personal and commercial applications such as rooftop solar panels, wearable devices, and portable chargers.
“Perovskite solar cells offer a transformative solution for achieving carbon neutrality and addressing global warming. Their efficiency, versatility, and reduced environmental impact make them an essential component in the transition to a sustainable future,” concluded Prof. Kim.
Research Report:Shallow-level defect passivation by 6H perovskite polytype for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Related Links
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
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Solar Energy
China installs record amount of renewable energy in 2024, data shows
China installs record amount of renewable energy in 2024, data shows
by AFP Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Jan 21, 2025
China installed a record amount of renewable energy last year, data from the National Energy Administration (NEA) showed on Tuesday.
The country is the world’s biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases scientists say drive global warming and climate change.
Beijing has committed to bring carbon emissions to a peak by 2030 and to net zero by 2060.
China, the world’s second-largest economy, added around 277 gigawatts (GW) of solar power last year, an increase from the 217 GW added from the previous year, the NEA said in a statement.
It also expanded its wind power by nearly 80 GW, the data showed, a slight uptick from nearly 76 GW added in 2023.
The total installed capacity of solar and wind power were around 887 GW and 521 GW respectively.
President Xi Jinping set a target in 2020 for at least 1,200 GW of solar and wind capacity installed by 2030.
China surpassed that target last year, almost six years earlier than planned, data from the NEA showed in August.
It has also built almost twice as much wind and solar capacity as every other country combined, according to research published in July.
Beijing invested more than $50 billion in new solar supply capacity from 2011 to 2022, according to the International Energy Agency.
The solar industry has also benefited from access to cheap raw materials, readily available capital from state-owned banks and huge engineering manpower.
China remains heavily reliant on coal despite installing renewable energy capacity at record speed.
But there are signs it may be weaning itself off the fossil fuel.
Coal power permits fell 83 percent in the first half of last year and no new coal-based steelmaking projects were approved in the same period.
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Solar Energy
Floating solar panels could advance US energy goals
Floating solar panels could advance US energy goals
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 15, 2025
Federal reservoirs have the potential to significantly contribute to meeting the country’s solar energy needs, according to a recent study published in Solar Energy.
Geospatial scientists Evan Rosenlieb and Marie Rivers, along with Aaron Levine, a senior legal and regulatory analyst at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), conducted the first comprehensive analysis to quantify the energy potential of floating solar panel projects on federally owned or regulated reservoirs. Their findings reveal that these reservoirs could support floating solar panels capable of generating up to 1,476 terawatt hours of energy annually – enough to power approximately 100 million homes.
“That’s a technical potential,” Rosenlieb explained, clarifying that this figure represents the maximum energy generation possible if every reservoir were fully utilized for floating solar panels. “We know we’re not going to be able to develop all of this. But even if you could develop 10% of what we identified, that would go a long way.”
Although the study does not yet account for the potential impacts of human and wildlife activities on floating solar development, the researchers plan to address these factors in future work. This enhanced data provides critical insights that could streamline project planning and assist in evaluating how floating solar fits into the nation’s energy strategy.
Floating solar panels, or floating PV, offer several advantages. In addition to generating electricity without consuming land resources, they provide cooling and shading to water bodies, reducing evaporation and conserving water supplies. However, large-scale installations remain absent in the U.S., with no single project exceeding 10 megawatts.
Levine noted the challenges and opportunities: “We haven’t seen any large-scale installations, like at a large reservoir. In the United States, we don’t have a single project over 10 megawatts.”
Previous attempts to estimate the energy potential of floating solar panels in the U.S. lacked the detailed analysis of this study, which evaluates the suitability of reservoirs based on factors such as water conditions and infrastructure requirements. For instance, reservoirs with frequent shipping traffic, extreme temperatures, or steeply sloping bottoms may pose challenges for floating solar installations. However, some hydropower reservoirs could serve as excellent sites for hybrid energy systems combining solar and hydropower, enhancing grid reliability and resilience.
The researchers also highlighted the potential of new reservoirs created for pumped storage hydropower projects. These reservoirs, which are often isolated from natural waterways, could serve as ideal locations for floating solar panels, as they do not impact existing ecosystems or human activities.
Future studies will assess additional factors, such as proximity to transmission lines, site-specific development costs, and regulatory considerations. The researchers also plan to expand their analysis to include smaller reservoirs, estuaries, and ocean sites.
Research Report:Floating photovoltaic technical potential: A novel geospatial approach on federally controlled reservoirs in the United States
Related Links
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com
Solar Energy
China battery giant CATL’s Hong Kong listing plan gathers steam
China battery giant CATL’s Hong Kong listing plan gathers steam
by AFP Staff Writers
Hong Kong (AFP) Jan 14, 2025
Chinese electric vehicle battery giant CATL is pushing ahead with plans to list in Hong Kong, with banks reportedly vying for a deal expected to raise at least $5 billion.
CATL, which produces more than a third of the EV batteries sold worldwide, said it plans to “seek a listing on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange” in a bid to expand globally and support energy transition.
“This move is primarily aimed at creating an international financing platform to better support our global business development,” the firm told AFP on Tuesday.
“We have sufficient cash and funding for our overall business, and building up an international financing platform will be a strategic arrangement, which is in line with other globalised companies.”
CATL is publicly traded in Shenzhen and its plans for a secondary listing in Hong Kong were announced in an exchange filing last month.
Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, China International Capital Corporation and CSC Financial Corporation are poised to be the lead arrangers for the deal, Bloomberg News reported this week.
Other banks are likely to be added for a listing that could happen as soon as the first half of this year, which could raise at least $5 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Founded in 2011 in the eastern coastal Chinese city of Ningde, CATL has grown into the world’s largest EV battery maker and supplies firms including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai.
Last week, the US Department of Defense added CATL to a list of companies it says are affiliated with Beijing’s military.
China has denounced the move as “suppression” while CATL said the company is “not engaged in any military related activities”.
CATL’s Shenzhen shares rose 3.8 percent on Tuesday but were still down nearly four percent since the start of the year.
Hong Kong’s stock exchange is eager for the return of big-name Chinese listings in hopes of regaining its crown as the world’s top IPO venue.
The Chinese finance hub has suffered a steady decline in new offerings since a regulatory crackdown by Beijing starting in 2020 led some Chinese mega-companies to put their plans on hold.
A bumper listing by Chinese electronic appliance maker Midea worth $4 billion last year may signal a turnaround, analysts say.
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