Perovskite Solar Cells

The light-absorbing material (also known as the photo-active material) in PSCs is based on an inorganic-organic metal halide compound that forms a “perovskite” crystal structure (Figure 1, left image). In a thin-film PSC, the light-absorbing perovskite layer is embedded in a multilayer stack of various functional materials that all have different electroactive roles within the cell (Figure 1, right).

A key feature that differentiates PSCs from conventional solar cells based on silicon is that the light-absorbing layer can be deposited from solution without the need for high-temperature or high-vacuum processing, yet still delivers comparatively high power-conversion efficiency (PCE). The record PCE for small-area PSCs produced in the lab using a solution-processed perovskite layer has climbed rapidly over the past decade, from 3.8% in 2009 to 26.7% in 2024. However, the challenge remains to produce PSCs using scalable production methods that are translatable to industry while retaining the high PCEs measured for small-scale cells which, although solution processed, are often fabricated using spin-coating which is not readily scalable.

At CSIRO, we are addressing these challenges by adopting a bottom-up approach using industry-translatable printing and coating methods at all stages of our research, from small-cale 0.1 cm² cells to our 30 cm-wide rolls. Along with partners at Monash University, UNSW, and the University of Cambridge, and with funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), we have already demonstrated flexible printed PSCs with PCEs of more than 18%, processed at a very low energy cost using roll-to-roll fabrication. As of 2024, we have produced perovksite mini-modules with carbon electrodes exhibiting more than 11% PCE on flexible substrates, which remains a record. Read more about it here. We are continuing to work on improving the process reliability, PCE, and stability.