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An achievement in solar technology has been made by the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) in collaboration with UniTest Co. Their new development has set a world record for large-area perovskite solar modules, achieving a certified efficiency of 20.6%, surpassing the previous record of 19.2%.
This milestone, certified by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany and listed in the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) Champion Module Efficiency Chart, marks a significant advancement in the performance of perovskite solar cells. The new technology is particularly notable for its efficiency in large-area modules (over 200 cm²), a critical factor for commercial viability.
Perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells due to their potential for high efficiency and low production costs. While the theoretical efficiency limit for large-area perovskite solar cells is estimated to be around 27%, no company was able to reach 20% beforehand. Therefore, KRICT’s achievement of 20.6% in practical applications is a major step toward realizing this potential.
The team at KRICT optimized several aspects of the manufacturing process to reach this efficiency. They fine-tuned in-house material synthesis methods, improved film uniformity through scalable processes, and perfected laser ablation control techniques, according to Interesting Engineering. These advancements were key in achieving the record-breaking performance.
Looking ahead, KRICT, in partnership with UniTest Co., plans to advance the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. The team is preparing for mass production of solar modules for applications like indoor photovoltaics, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and other functional devices, with some products expected to hit the market later this year, according to the press release.
While perovskite solar cells have made significant strides, challenges remain in optimizing efficiency consistently across large-scale devices. However, this achievement is a crucial step in overcoming the technical barriers to commercializing perovskite solar technology, bringing us closer to a new era of affordable, high-performance solar power.
