U.S. DOE Publishes Summary of Performance Targets for Perovskite PV R&D Programs

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) USA

Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has released a summary of performance targets gathered through a Request for Information (RFI) for its perovskite PV research, development, and demonstration programs. The RFI solicited feedback from industry, academia, and research institutions on efficiency, stability, and reproducibility of perovskite PV devices. SETO aims to leverage these targets to coordinate community efforts, ensure the relevance of future funding programs, and accelerate the technical and commercial development and risk reduction of perovskite technology.

In Depth

Key Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has published a summary of feedback received from its Request for Information (RFI) concerning performance targets for perovskite PV research, development, and demonstration programs. This pivotal document synthesizes expert insights from industry, academia, and research institutions regarding the efficiency, stability, and reproducibility of perovskite solar cell devices. SETO intends to strategically utilize these clarified performance targets to coordinate efforts across the research community, enhance the effectiveness of future funding programs, and ultimately accelerate the technical and commercial development of perovskite technology while mitigating associated risks.

Technical Details

The performance targets collected through the RFI include specific technical parameters such as:

• Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE): Target values for practical efficiency in large-area modules, beyond laboratory record efficiencies.
• Long-Term Stability: Numerical targets for performance degradation rates under harsh environmental conditions (e.g., high temperature, high humidity, UV irradiation, thermal cycling), aiming for, for example, 80% retention of initial efficiency over a 25-year warranty period.
• Reproducibility: Goals related to improving manufacturing yield and ensuring consistency in device performance across batches.
• Material Safety and Sustainability: Targets for the development of lead-free alternatives and enhanced recyclability.
• Manufacturing Cost: Cost reduction targets per unit of power generated ($/Wp).

These targets are crucial for perovskite solar cells to competitively enter the existing silicon solar cell market and function as reliable solutions across a wide range of applications.

Background & Context

Perovskite solar cells are globally recognized as a next-generation renewable energy technology due to their high theoretical efficiency and potential for low-cost manufacturing. However, the transition from laboratory to market requires overcoming multiple challenges related to technical reliability, manufacturability, and economic viability. SETO’s RFI is a key mechanism to identify these challenges and align industry needs with R&D directions. Government agencies setting clear performance targets and basing funding decisions on them is highly effective in focusing R&D efforts and clarifying the path to commercialization. This initiative supports the national goal of the U.S. maintaining leadership in clean energy technologies and decarbonizing the electricity sector by 2035.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

SETO will use the performance targets established in this RFI as the foundation for designing and evaluating future funding programs. This is expected to enable research institutions, universities, and companies to pursue R&D more strategically and accelerate the development of market-demanded perovskite products. Ultimately, the goal is for perovskite solar cells to be widely adopted across diverse market segments, including Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), flexible devices, and off-grid systems. Achieving these targets will play a crucial role in further reducing the cost of solar power and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy.