UCLA-led research could lead to more durable solar cells

Yang Lab/UCLA An international team led by UCLA researchers has developed a way to use perovskite in solar cells while protecting it from the conditions that cause it to deteriorate. Using enhanced halide perovskite in place of silicon could produce less expensive devices that stand up better to light, heat Using enhanced halide perovskite in place of silicon could produce less expensive devices that stand up better to light, heat Amid all of the efforts to convert the nation's energy supply to renewable sources, solar power still accounts for a little less than 3% of electricity generated in the U.S. In part, that's because of the relatively high cost to produce solar cells. One way to lower the cost of production would be to develop solar cells that use less-expensive materials than today's silicon-based models. To achieve that, some engineers have zeroed in on halide perovskite, a type of human-made material with repeating crystals shaped like cubes. In theory, perovskite-based solar cells could be made with raw materials that cost less and are more readily available than silicon; they also could be produced using less energy and a simpler manufacturing process. But so far, a stumbling block has been that perovskite breaks down with exposure to light and heat — particularly problematic for devices meant to generate energy from the sun. Now, an international research collaboration led by UCLA has developed a way to use perovskite in solar cells while protecting it from the conditions that cause it to deteriorate.