These foldable solar panels are more efficient than ever

The new solar panels use perovskite, a special crystalline material, as the active layer to convert sunlight into electricity. This type of panel offers the potential for lower production costs and higher efficiency compared to traditional silicon solar panels, thanks to a simpler manufacturing process and cheaper raw materials.

However, the main drawback is the limited service life and stability, which can affect long-term reliability. Despite these challenges, researchers continue to make improvements. A new study published in the journal The coming energydescribes a significant step forward. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Technology have developed a new type of perovskite solar cell that does not require an electron transport layer (ETL).

27 percent efficiency

ETL is a layer that helps efficiently transfer electrons from the active layer to the electrical contacts. The absence of this layer makes the cell structure simpler and more flexible, making the cells foldable.

Additionally, these solar cells can collect sunlight from both sides, increasing efficiency. The cells convert 27% of the captured light into energy, which is better than the best silicon solar panels currently available.

There are still many challenges.

There are still caveats. There is no prototype of these panels yet. Scientists have only conducted simulations. In addition, the problem of the panels’ lifespan has not yet been solved. Finally, nothing is yet known about the possibilities of mass production or its affordability.

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