Key Findings
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is providing crucial financial support for perovskite solar cell research and development through its FY2020 Perovskite Funding Program. This program is designed to accelerate the market readiness of perovskite technology, with a particular focus on improving device efficiency and stability, innovating manufacturing processes, and establishing infrastructure for validation and bankability. Funded projects include the development of manufacturing processes for perovskite-silicon tandem cells achieving 27% efficiency, as well as research to enhance mechanical adhesion strength and stability through the incorporation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). These advancements are significantly propelling the technology towards commercial viability.
Technical Details
Projects supported by this funding program are rigorously addressing the primary technical challenges of perovskite solar cells. In the device R&D domain, efforts are concentrated on optimizing material composition and device architecture to push perovskite-silicon tandem cell efficiency to 27%. Tandem structures are considered a key pathway for next-generation photovoltaics as they can exceed the theoretical efficiency limits of single-junction cells. For stability enhancement, the integration of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is a promising approach. SAMs improve interfacial adhesion between different layers and enhance resistance to external environmental factors like moisture and heat, thereby mitigating long-term device degradation. Manufacturing R&D focuses on developing scalable and cost-effective production techniques that can transition from laboratory to industrial scale.
Background and Industry Context
For over a decade, perovskite solar cells have been one of the most exciting advancements in the photovoltaic industry, owing to their astonishing rate of efficiency improvement and potential for low-cost manufacturing. However, the challenge of translating high laboratory efficiencies to large-area module production, particularly ensuring long-term stability, has been the main barrier to their widespread commercialization. The U.S. government is committed to strengthening energy security and combating climate change through strategic investments in clean energy technologies. SETO’s funding program is tightly aligned with these national strategies, leveraging U.S. innovation capabilities to transform perovskite technology into a practical and impactful energy solution.
Future Outlook
The research outcomes generated by SETO’s FY2020 Perovskite Funding Program are poised to significantly shorten the path to commercialization for perovskite solar cells. The development of manufacturing processes for 27% efficient tandem cells and advances in material technologies that substantially improve stability will enable the market introduction of more efficient and reliable solar modules. As these technologies mature, perovskite solar cells are expected to penetrate new market segments, including Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and flexible devices, in addition to residential, commercial, and industrial applications. This expansion will further increase the role of solar power in the global energy mix. The DOE’s continued support is an indispensable element in building a sustainable energy future with perovskite technology.
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