Back-Contact Perovskite Solar Cells: Progress, Challenges and the Future.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Semiconductor Physics

Background:

• Back-contact solar cells represent a novel device architecture.
• This architecture is compatible with both silicon and perovskite semiconductors.
• Perovskite back-contact solar cell efficiencies have significantly improved since 2016.

Purpose of the Study:

• Highlight the advantages of back-contact solar cells compared to planar designs.
• Review recent advancements in perovskite back-contact solar cells.
• Explore facile routes for scaling up back-contact solar cell fabrication.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing substrates patterned with embossed microgrooves for fabrication.
• Developing perovskite solar cell modules with serially connected grooves.
• Characterizing device performance and stability.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a facile route for back-contact solar cell scale-up using microgroove patterning.
• Achieved stabilized efficiencies of up to 12.8% in perovskite solar cell modules.
• Showcased modules composed of hundreds of serially connected grooves.

Conclusions:

• Microgroove-patterned substrates offer a promising approach for scaling up back-contact solar cells.
• Further research is needed to address challenges for high-volume manufacturing and commercialization.
• Back-contact perovskite solar cells show potential for widespread adoption.