Perovskite Photovoltaics: Mitigating Scale-up Efficiency Loss via FF

Nature Communications China

Overview

Researchers have identified the fill factor (FF) as the primary driver of efficiency loss when scaling perovskite solar cells from small areas to modules. By utilizing cryo-controlled processing to regulate crystallization, a mini-module with a 19.48 cm² aperture achieved a record certified steady-state efficiency of 23.9%. This finding links FF preservation directly to both scale-up performance and long-term operational stability.

In Depth

Key Findings

The study identifies the fill factor (FF) as the major contributor to efficiency loss during the scale-up of perovskite photovoltaics. By addressing the FF deficit, the researchers developed a mini-module with a 19.48 cm² aperture that reached a record certified steady-state efficiency of 23.9% and an FF of 83.3%, the highest reported for perovskite modules.

Technical Details

The analysis decomposes the FF deficit into three primary contributions: voltage, transport-associated, and diode-non-ideality. To mitigate these losses, the team implemented cryo-controlled processing, which regulates the evolution of the intermediate phase during the crystallization process. The resulting preservation of the FF is predominantly attributed to a reduction in diode non-ideality, with other contributions playing a smaller role. This performance advantage becomes more pronounced as the device scale increases.

Background & Context

While perovskite solar cells can approach the efficiencies of crystalline-silicon at small scales, substantial performance drops typically occur during the transition to practical modules. This research quantifies how various device-performance parameters contribute to this loss across diverse perovskite technologies, establishing a framework to target the specific bottlenecks hindering commercial translation.

Significance & Outlook

The research establishes a critical link between efficiency retention during scale-up and long-term operational stability, noting that the same FF limitations govern performance decay during operation. Consequently, the preservation of the fill factor and the understanding of the factors governing it are central to reducing performance loss in both the scaling and operational phases of perovskite photovoltaic deployment.

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