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Description
The project addresses these issues starting from the premise that coherent experimental and theoretical studies should be done using from the start cheap deposition techniques applicable on large areas (printing and sputtering). Besides allowing the scaling up, such techniques can be better controlled offering a better homogeneity in deposition than the spin-coating method. The overall objectives of the project are: A) to develop efficient, stable, reproducible standard and inverted perovskite solar cells and photovoltaic modules fabricated with affordable large area and environmental friendly technologies. B) to strengthen the knowledge base concerning the application of environmental technology; new knowledge will be acquired regarding how PSCs can be optimized for large scale applications and how can they be fabricated using environmentally friendly technologies with low carbon footprint. Specific objectives: O1 - understand the physical working principles of perovskite solar cells and find solutions to increase and stabilize the PCE while enlarging the area of the cells; O2 – reduce the amount of costly materials and toxic solvents used in the fabrication process of both standard and inverted PSC structures with other inexpensive and environmental friendly; O3 - stabilize the PCE performance of PSC via compositional engineering and proper replacements including the selective contacts; O4 - enhance the charge collection efficiency by optimizing interfaces between the layers in the cell; O5 - develop cheap large area fabrication technologies (printing and sputtering) for all the component layers in PSCs, standard and inverted structures; O6 - obtain efficient large area encapsulated PSCs and photovoltaic modules with PCE over 15%.
Summary of project results
As the world population is estimated to stabilize around 10 billion up to 2050, the energy demand will significantly exceed the capabilities of conventional sources. A solution to this fast coming shortfall in energy is to take advantage of the solar energy, the most abundant and clean source available on Earth. A major challenge is to develop cheap, environmental friendly photovoltaic devices converting the sunlight directly into electricity. The perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted a considerable interest, proving that they can become real competitors to Silicon based photovoltaics in terms of conversion efficiency and cost. Being also thin, light and suitable for fabrication with printing technologies they have potential for large scale applications and commercialization. However, while the high performance obtained in small area PSCs and the expected low production costs are important advantages, the real challenges to overcome when scale-up to large area fabrication are the stability, reliability and reproducibility of their performance as well as the environmental issues raised by the use of toxic elements/solvents. The PERLA-PV project addressed these challenges by developing suitable and cheap printing technologies while reducing the toxicological and environmental issues raised by the use of toxic elements/solvents during the fabrication process.
The PERLA-PV project brought together of 5 research institutions (National Institute of Materials Physics - Romania, University of Oslo -Norway, Reykjavik University -Iceland, Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering -Romania and Tritech Group (WATTROM) a SME from Romania as end-user) to perform fundamental and applicative research in order to develop printing-like large area technologies for all the different material layers in a perovskite solar cell. The research activities in PERLA-PV have focused on: 1) development of printing technologies for large area deposition of all the layers that make up a PSC; 2) study of compositional engineered perovskites for diminishing the degradation effects of PSCs while employing more environmentally friendly solvent strategies for reducing the toxicity of chemistry used in the fabrication process; 3) Identify the degradation mechanisms in PSCs via investigations and theoretical modelling of the materials and interfaces in PSCs and find ways for diminishing it. They resulted in 10 scientific articles, 1 patent, PSC devices and photovoltaic modules. Details on the activities, reports on results and outputs are freely accessible from the project website [https://perla-pv.ro/].
The research performed in PERLA-PV paved the way towards large area perovskite photovoltaics. Relevant from industrial point of view and such, for the general public, is the fabrication of large area PSCs and mini-photovoltaic panels with fully printing-like and cost-effective techniques for all of the different layers in a PSC (inorganic, hybrid and organic compounds). The printing technologies developed in PERLA-PV are readily scalable to an industrial scale, a significant achievement for both, the scientific community and industry. The performed research lead also to scientific results that can be further exploited to increase the performance of PSCs. Thus, via compositional and solvent engineering approaches of PERLA-PV, the optimizations made for increasing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the large area devices, show that further developments, above the presently 8% value, are possible. In connection with the theoretical models developed in PERLA-PV, very well received by scientific community, the long term degradation effects in PSCs can be predicted already from the behavior of the fresh PSCs, having thus the potential of an early identification of the ways for further PSCs improvements fulfiling the requirements of the photovoltaic market, via perovskite composition, charge transporting layers and interfaces, fabrication process.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation between the Romanian, Norvegian and Icelandic institutions started 10 years ago and it was strengthen in PERLA-PV, especially with the Icelandic partner, with which collaboration proved to be very strong and efficient. In addition, several young researchers from Romanian and Icelandic institutions were benefiting of reciprocal work-stages and training. The collaboration will continue, addressing also other topics, especially for the benefit of young researchers, via training and access to complementary research infrastructure and knowledge.