An emerging photovoltaic technology for an economical, reliable and environmentally friendly energy transition
Of all photovoltaic systems, lead halide perovskite solar cells are the most efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. This is because they boast excellent optoelectronic properties and are cheap and simple to manufacture. However, their adoption has been slow due to their instability, harmful levels of lead and issues related to lead leaching. The EU-funded SHERPA project is developing self-healing perovskite photovoltaic systems, significantly reducing leaching. The project aims to improve the stability of lead halide perovskite photovoltaic systems by introducing the concept of a photovoltaic microconcentrator and concentrating light within metal halide perovskites. As well as utilising the microconcentrator – enabling the photovoltaic system to theoretically exceed the Shockley–Queisser limit of one sun – the concept reduces toxic lead levels to below the requirements of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (RoHS).