Tiny grooves re-shape future of solar cell manufacturing – Flexible solar cells that do not contain any scarce and expensive elements are paving the way for the development of low cost, efficient solar energy according to new research by the University of Sheffield.

Submission Statement:

Flexible solar cells that do not contain any scarce and expensive elements are paving the way for the development of low cost, efficient solar energy according to new research by the University of Sheffield.

The research, which is in partnership with UK company Power Roll Ltd and published in ACS Applied Energy Materials, highlights the development of a new type of solar cell using a perovskite semiconductor. Unlike traditional solar cells, these cells are made by embossing tiny grooves into a plastic film and then filling them with the perovskite material.

This innovative approach presents a new way to produce lightweight, flexible solar films that can be used on surfaces such as rooftops and other unconventional surfaces that could not normally stand the weight of solar panels. Together with their anticipated low cost, this could significantly enhance the roll out of solar, particularly in developing countries.This could make a real difference in the drive to replace fossil fuels with sustainable solar energy.

The new microgroove structure creates a new type of solar cell that has a back-contact format. Regular devices use a sandwich structure composed of a number of layers deposited in a specific order. The back-contact cells have all the electrical contacts on the back of the device making it easier and cheaper to manufacture, with the potential for high efficiency.