U.S. Department of Energy Unveils Research Strategy Focused on Stability, Large-Area Scalability, and Manufacturability of Perovskite Solar Cells

August 2, 2026

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) USA

Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a strategy focusing on stability, large-area scalability, and manufacturability—three critical research areas for enabling commercial production of perovskite solar cells. The strategy emphasizes the establishment of standardized testing methods, aligned with IEC 61215 and ISOS protocols, and addressing manufacturing process challenges such as roll-to-roll production and vacuum deposition. This roadmap aims to accelerate the commercial realization of perovskite technology.

In Depth

Key Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy focusing on three critical research and development areas: stability, large-area scalability, and manufacturability, all essential for enabling the widespread commercial production of perovskite solar cells. This strategy not only targets technological breakthroughs but also emphasizes the establishment of standardized testing methodologies and the resolution of scalable manufacturing process challenges, thereby providing a clear roadmap to accelerate the practical implementation of perovskite technology.

Technical / Clinical Details

The DOE’s strategy promotes the establishment of rigorous testing methods compliant with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215 standards (UV exposure, thermal cycling, damp heat, PID (Potential Induced Degradation)) and the International Solar Energy Society (ISOS) protocols. These standards are crucial for accurately evaluating the real-world performance and lifespan of perovskite devices under various environmental conditions. Furthermore, the strategy highlights efforts towards large-area scaling technologies to achieve uniform performance in large modules, and cost-effective mass production processes, specifically roll-to-roll manufacturing and vacuum deposition. These processes hold the potential to surpass existing solar cell manufacturing in terms of thin-film uniformity, material utilization efficiency, and production speed, but they also present unique challenges specific to perovskite materials. The DOE intends to concentrate funding and resources on research aimed at overcoming these hurdles.

Background & Context

Perovskite solar cells are garnering significant attention as a next-generation technology with the potential to achieve power conversion efficiencies comparable to or exceeding conventional silicon solar cells, coupled with expectations for low-cost manufacturing. However, transitioning laboratory-scale achievements into commercial products requires decades of operational stability and manufacturing technologies capable of gigawatt-scale production. Until now, stability, large-area scalability, and manufacturability have been major bottlenecks for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. The DOE’s strategy directly and systematically addresses these challenges, marking a crucial step for the U.S. to establish leadership in clean energy technology and enhance energy security. This initiative also contributes to global efforts to further reduce the cost of solar power and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This research strategy announced by the DOE will play an extremely vital role in the future development of perovskite solar cells. The introduction of standardized testing methods will build market confidence and enable developers to evaluate products against common benchmarks. Furthermore, investments in advanced manufacturing technologies such as roll-to-roll production and vacuum deposition are expected to dramatically reduce the cost of perovskite solar cells, enhancing their competitiveness in the existing photovoltaic market. The R&D efforts conducted under this strategy are anticipated to contribute to the realization of more durable, efficient, and affordable perovskite solar cells, serving as a key driving force to accelerate the global energy transition. This also sends a strong signal to strengthen the U.S. economic competitiveness in the energy sector and support the transition to a sustainable future.

Source: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/perovskite-research-directions

Get our weekly technology intelligence — free

Receive an infographic that lets you judge at a glance whether each field’s analysis report is worth reading.

Subscribe Free — Weekly Tech Intelligence

By subscribing, you’ll receive Troy-Technical’s weekly technology intelligence newsletter.