It is cliamed to be the highest efficiency rating with the largest perovskite solar cells so far.
The test results have been confirmed by the international testing centre Newport in Bozeman, Montana.
The new cell is at least ten times bigger than the current certified high-efficiency perovskite solar cells on record.
UNSW research team lead Anita Ho-Baillie said “This is a very hot area of research, with many teams competing to advance photovoltaic design.
“Perovskites came out of nowhere in 2009, with an efficiency rating of 3.8%, and have since grown in leaps and bounds.
“These results place UNSW among the best groups in the world producing state-of-the-art high performance perovskite solar cells. And I think we can get to 24% within a year or so.”
Perovskite, the material used for designing the solar cell, is a structured compound, where hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halide-based materail acts as light-harvesting active layer.
The team noted that this material is now catching up fast because it is cheap to produce, simple to manufacture and can even be sprayed on surfaces.
Ho-Baillie said: “The versatility of solution deposition of perovskite makes it possible to spray-coat, print or paint on solar cells.
“The diversity of chemical compositions also allows cells be transparent, or made of different colours. Imagine being able to cover every surface of buildings, devices and cars with solar cells.”
The team also noted the difference between conventional silicon crystal-based solar cells and the solar cells made from perovskite material.
The process of manufacturing silicon-based solar cells involves baking them at 800°C. On the other hand, solar cells made from perovskite materials require less heat and are 200 times thinner than silicon cells.
But, there is a downside to this promising new material. Solar cells made from perovskites are prone to temperature fluctuations and moisture, which makes them last only for few months without protection. So, the team is now focused on extending the durabiltiy of the cells.
Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics director and Ho-Baillie’s mentor Martin Green said: “We will capitalise on the advantages of perovskites and continue to tackle issues important for commercialisation, like scaling to larger areas and improving cell durability.”
The research is part of a collaboration backed by A$3.6m in funding via the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s solar excellence initiative.
Image: Anita Ho-Baillie holding a perovskite solar cell. Photo: Courtesy of University of New South Wales.
