Perovskite PV

Demonstration of an industrially scalable process for the production of high efficiency perovskite photovoltaics

The project aimed to demonstrate an industrially relevant and scalable process for thin-film perovskite photovoltaic (PV) cell and tandem cell fabrication, using patented CSIRO NexGen Solar® technology. The goal was to take perovskite semiconductor deposition and integration in tandem cell architectures to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5.

Perovskite scalability and stability are main challenges to the commercial adoption of these class of materials into next generation and advanced photovoltaic cell technologies. Improving the scalability of the perovskite absorber allows us to use such material in any given perovskite-on-silicon solar cell, regardless of the configuration, polarity and transport layers used in both perovskite and silicon sub-cells. Therefore, the large-area perovskite absorber developed during the course of the project can be applied to any commercial or emerging silicon solar cell configuration (e.g. PERC, TOPCon). Key outcomes included demonstration of process control, accuracy and reproducibility of the prototypical reactor to provide consistent and uniform materials with good control over chemical compositions necessary for tuning final performance requirements.

The project has delivered a consistent and reliable process reactor and tandem cell fabrication, ready for the next stage of commercialisation of the NexGen Solar® technology through a prototype reactor capable of producing early examples of a tandem cell as proof-of-concept. Advances in technology included successfully scaling up perovskite process depositions, developing a fabrication methodology for multi-layers to form monolithic cells and tandem integrated cells. Perovskite materials were assessed for environmental performance and methodologies for perovskite encapsulation and durability testing were developed. Significant achievements were made in durability and reliability of the single-junction photovoltaic cells.

Methodologies to translate and integrate the materials into a preferred optical stack to deliver a proof-of-concept tandem cell configuration using the novel deposition process were also developed. This included design and assembly of a prototype process reactor capable of demonstrating the novel materials deposition process and subsequently a proof-of-concept tandem photovoltaic cell.  Proof of concept required optimising the prototype reactor to successfully deposit a uniform and controllable active layer as the top-junction of the tandem cell, using a modified silicon substrate as the bottom-junction.

Outcomes from the project will advance solar technology in this field by developing a new method for creating more efficient solar cells, enable uptake and adoption within an emerging domestic manufacturing industry and contribute to a more sustainable future. Impacts extend beyond the scientific community, with potential benefits for the environment, sovereign manufacturing, the Australian economy and bilateral collaboration and partnerships with international trade partners. The successful completion of this project marks a significant milestone in the journey towards more efficient and sustainable solar energy solutions through advanced photovoltaic technologies. The team’s achievements have demonstrated innovation and collaboration in advancing Australian renewable energy technologies and positioned the perovskite photovoltaic technology for further research, development and commercialisation.