This radical step change largely rendered DSC and Organic PV (OPV) obsolete in one fell swoop, except for specialty markets such as coloured and transparent solar cells, as the new technology gives dramatically higher energy conversion efficiency and significantly better large-area processing. The basic building block of a PSC is particular formulations of the exceptionally strong light harvesting “perovskite” crystal structure (shown in the picture).  These formulations of this amazing material can absorb sunlight with a hundred times thinner active layers than silicon solar cells.

PSC technology holds the record for the fastest advancing PV technology of all time.  In less than a decade it has improved in efficiency to levels that took half a century for silicon solar cells to reach.  Now competitive in efficiency with all existing large-area PV technologies, including silicon, CdTe, and CIGS, perovskite solar cells have the added advantages of extremely low materials utilisation, high specific power and simple manufacturing processes.

This highly advantageous combination of high performance and potentially low cost makes PSC the PV technology of the future.  Additionally, the fabrication processes used are amenable to functionalising a range of substrates for deposition of PSC, giving an enormous opportunity in untapped markets such as BIPV and EVs as well as as existing markets like utility solar farms and BAPV.

Greatcell leverages extensive experience in scale-up of the emerging DSC PV technology, and thanks to the relative similarity between the technologies has successfully transitioned this expertise to PSC. Greatcell developed PSC-specific know-how and capabilities which form the technological basis of a highly competitive portfolio of PV products.  Our expertise includes low cost solution coating processing of perovskite and related materials on rigid and flexible glass, metal and plastic substrates.