Bulky additives could make cheaper solar cells last longer

Findings could help engineers methodically find best molecules to increase lifespan of perovskite solar cells, rather than relying on time-consuming trial and error. Study: Molecular Design of Defect Passivators for Thermally Stable Metal Halide Perovskite Films (DOI: 10.1016/j.matt. An insight into preventing perovskite semiconductors from degrading quickly, discovered at the University of Michigan, could help enable solar cells estimated to be two to four times cheaper than today's thin-film solar panels. Perovskites may also be combined with the silicon-based semiconductors that are prevalent in today's solar panels to create "tandem- solar cells that could surpass the maximum theoretical efficiency of silicon solar cells. "Silicon solar cells are great because they are very efficient and can last for a very long time, but the high efficiency comes with a high cost,- said Xiwen Gong , U-M assistant professor of chemical engineering. "To make high-purity silicon, temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius are needed. Otherwise, the efficiency won't be as good.