How can your printer power itself?

A new generation of thin-film solar panels offer improved efficiency and a smaller carbon footprint – and can be made in Europe.

Energy

Duration 01:03:00

Solar power is a key element of the EU’s climate neutrality goals, yet existing silicon technology is reaching its theoretical limit, and almost all production takes place in Asia. The EU-funded DIAMOND project set out to advance the development of perovskite solar technology. The project has now been featured in the CORDIS series of explanatory videos titled ‘Make the connection with EU science’.

Perovskite solar technology uses a thin film of crystals to achieve highly efficient energy capture. “We were delighted to record a solar cell PCE rate of just above 27 %, beating the world record for crystalline silicon solar cells at the time,” says project coordinator Uli Würfel. Stable, low-cost and able to be produced within Europe, perovskite photovoltaics represent the next generation of solar power, says Würfel: “Our results reinforce the potential of perovskite PV technology, which when transferred to industry, will create new jobs and reduce dependency on imports of PV panels and ultimately energy itself.”

Keywords

• DIAMOND
• solar
• energy
• photovoltaic
• perovskites
• silicon
• power

Countries

Germany