Advances in Perovskite Solar Cells: Efficiency, Stability, and Commercialization Prospects

One of the most radical technologies in the field of photovoltaics is the so-called perovskite solar cells or PSCs which have already reached certified power conversion efficiencies of more than 26 per cent within slightly more than ten years of focused research. The reviewed study gives an in-depth analysis of the science, material development, stability issues, and commercialization plans that characterize the present state of the perovskite photovoltaics state of the art. We start with the basic crystal structure and optoelectronic behavior of metal halide perovskites to single out the high efficiency path that is undergone by the previous dye-sensitized hybrid architectures towards recent all inorganic and tandem structures. The strategies of compositional engineering, charge transport layer and interface passivation modes that support the advancements of efficiency are assessed. Challenges of thermal, moisture and light induced degradation are examined in more depth and the most promising methods of encapsulation and intrinsic stabilization is examined. The issue of environmental concerns in use of lead based absorbers is mentioned and there is a positive development towards lead-free absorbers. Lastly, the commercialization arena is also discussed, including the module-scale demonstrations, scalable deposition techniques, the techno-economic state to enter a market. Based on this review, the authors can conclude that despite the still formidable challenges, the integration of materials science, device engineering, and industrial process development makes perovskite solar cells play an important role in the global clean energy change.