Solid-State Perovskite Solar Cells: Discovery and Impact

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have rapidly evolved from a laboratory curiosity into one of the most transformative photovoltaic platforms in renewable energy research. Since the first demonstration of solid-state PSCs in 2012, the field has witnessed an unprecedented rise in power conversion efficiency from 9.7% to over 28%, now surpassing established photovoltaic technologies. Beyond efficiency gains, halide perovskites have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of semiconductors by demonstrating that structural softness, defect tolerance, and chemical tunability can coexist with exceptional optoelectronic performance. This perspective reflects on the scientific journey underpinning the rise of perovskite photovoltaics, highlighting key breakthroughs in materials chemistry, device architecture, and interfacial engineering that have driven rapid progress. Particular emphasis is placed on the emergence of inverted architectures and their molecular-level interface control as defining themes of the field. These insights have enabled the transition from proof-of-concept devices to scalable technologies. Looking forward, the true significance of PSCs lies in their potential to enable terawatt-scale solar deployment. Their compatibility with low-temperature manufacturing, lightweight flexibility, and bandgap tunability positions perovskite photovoltaics as a cornerstone of future energy systems.