Perovskite solar cells: the key to long-term stability
In the experiment, perovskite solar cells were repeatedly cooled to minus 150 degrees Celsius and then heated to plus 150 degrees Celsius. The changes in the microstructure of the perovskite layer and the interactions with the neighbouring layers were studied over the course of the cycles (Illustration: Li Guixiang)
February 21, 2025 – Perovskite solar cells are very efficient and cheap to produce. However, when exposed to real weather conditions over a longer period of time – several decades – they turn out to be not very stable. An international collaboration of scientists led by the Helmholz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) has now investigated the effects of multiple thermal cycles on microstructures and interactions between different layers of perovskite solar cells. They conclude that thermal stress is the decisive factor in the degradation of metal halide perovskites. Based on this, they derive the most promising strategies to increase the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells.
The study was published on February 19 in the journal Nature review materials under the title ‘Resilience pathways for halide perovskite photovoltaics under temperature cycling’.
