China’s 1MW perovskite solar farm beats silicon system in industrial-scale test
A China-led team has cleared the last major hurdle in the race to commercialise the most promising alternative to conventional silicon solar technology, paving the way for the next generation of low-cost, high-efficiency panels to be made on an industrial scale. Researchers from China and Canada, led by Nanjing University, have developed a super-stable coating for perovskite – an ultra-thin,…
Chinese researchers have developed a new perovskite solar panel coating that significantly boosts the technology's efficiency and durability, bringing it closer to industrial-scale production. Perovskite solar cells, made from inexpensive materials like lead and iodine, can be printed onto large surfaces and have shown high laboratory efficiencies, but maintaining performance in large-scale installations has been a challenge.
The Nanjing University-led team created a super-stable coating using an iodine-containing salt that concentrates at the perovskite surface, forming a uniform base for a secondary coating. This innovative treatment addresses the tiny surface defects that typically reduce perovskite efficiency and protects the material from moisture, heat, and prolonged sunlight exposure.
In a series of tests, the new coating enabled the perovskite panel to reach 22% efficiency and generate 158.4 watts of power, even under extreme conditions like high temperatures and humidity levels. When placed alongside a 3.5MW silicon panel at a solar farm, the perovskite system produced more electricity for the same installed capacity, with a clear advantage growing as sunlight intensity increased.
After 1,300 hours at 85°C and 85% humidity, the perovskite panels suffered only 2% efficiency loss compared to 39% loss in conventional silicon panels. This breakthrough establishes a benchmark for making large, industrial-grade perovskite solar modules that combine processability, durability, and efficiency. If this technology can be scaled up consistently and maintain its performance over years of operation, perovskite solar panels could become a competitive alternative to traditional silicon panels, potentially reshaping the global solar industry.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
