The Action “Highly Efficient Large-area Perovskite Solar Cells (LrgPSCs)” aims to address the scaling challenges in emerging perovskite photovoltaics. While solar energy is crucial for a sustainable energy future, the high-temperature processing of silicon photovoltaics raises sustainability concerns. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with their excellent performance, low costs, and solution processability, emerge as a promising alternative. However, their commercialization is stalled by the absence of efficient large-scale solar modules. This issue stems from the increasing complexity in controlling perovskite crystallization for larger film areas, leading to non-uniform film formation and reduced crystalline quality. Additionally, the scalability of essential interface engineering strategies is challenged by strict requirements on interlayer thicknesses.
The large-scale deployment of efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) holds significant societal implications. Economically, 20% PCE PSCs could potentially lower the levelized cost of electricity to below 3 ¢/kWh, offering a competitive advantage over the 3.5–5 ¢/kWh of commercial silicon solar cells and promoting a shift from fossil fuels. This aids efforts in climate change mitigation. PSCs' adaptable thin-film architectures enable diverse applications in wearable electronics and the Internet of Things. Their lightweight, semitransparent modules can be integrated into building facades, windows, and vehicles, easing land-use conflicts for photovoltaic installations in populated European regions. Furthermore, PSCs have a significantly lower carbon footprint than commercial silicon, reducing the energy payback time to just four months and offering more sustainable end-of-life recycling options, avoiding landfill disposal.
This Marie Skłodowska Curie Action (MSCA) aimed to address research gaps in developing perovskite solar modules (PSMs) by focusing on four key areas: controlling perovskite crystallization, overcoming conductivity issues in 2D/3D heterostructures, integrating materials strategies for over 20% PCE in large-area PSMs, and employing advanced characterization techniques for fundamental understandings. A significant aspect was also to support the career development of the experienced researcher (ER).
In conclusion, this MSCA introduced innovative methods in perovskite formation and interface engineering, utilizing new dye molecule-based additives and scalable surface passivation with non-invasive ammonium ligands. It emphasized the role of systematic surface-sensitive characterizations in accelerating materials development. These efforts resulted in PSMs with PCEs of 20.8% and 20.5% in normal and inverted device architectures, respectively, documented in publications in Science and Advanced Materials. This work, aligning with Horizon 2020's goals, has laid a foundation for the commercialization of PSCs by demonstrating efficient large-area devices.
