Europe, U.S., China and Japan, seeking commercialization of Perovskite Cells
The energy crisis resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict has once again spotlighted the inherent risks of fossil fuel dependence. Beyond the wave of decarbonization, the acceleration in the adoption of renewable energy is set to shape the future of nations and companies. What is currently happening at the cutting edge of rapidly evolving renewable energy technology?
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese news agency, has evaluated the popularity of 11 attention-grabbing decarbonization technologies across five fields: solar energy, wind energy, hydrogen energy, nuclear power, and carbon dioxide recovery, relying on expert opinions.
Among soon-to-be commercialized areas, next-generation large solar cells, specifically Perovskite Cells, stand out as potentially groundbreaking.
For the first time, the term “perovskite cells” was included in the Joint Statement of the G7 Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers Meeting in April, highlighting the advancing technological innovation like floating offshore wind power.
Currently, the forefront of the solar photovoltaic industry is perovskite technology. However, crystalline silicon solar cells remain the mainstream technology, with Chinese companies predominantly holding the production capacity.
In 2022, China held a strong position in world photovoltaic competitiveness, controlling 80% of global production capacity while continuously improving the photovoltaic conversion rate. For a time, LONGi led the world with a record photovoltaic cell conversion rate of 26.81%.
However, in early 2023, this record was surpassed by a Japanese company that achieved a 29% conversion rate with perovskite cells.
Despite not yet leaving the laboratory, the efficiency of perovskite cells continues to hit record highs, proving their significant potential in the field dominated by crystalline silicon technology.
Lab Competition
Japan initially held the record before China hit the conversion rate of 26.81%. Despite being surpassed by China in the arena of crystalline silicon, Japan holds high hopes for perovskite, boasting a theoretical conversion limit of about 33%, which exceeds that of crystalline silicon. Japanese spent ten years increasing the conversion efficiency of perovskite cells from 3.8% to 26.7%. Although China overtook them several times, researchers in Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland continue to make breakthroughs.
From a research perspective, in addition to improving battery conversion efficiency, there is also a focus on extending battery lifespan.In 2022, the United States made two significant advancements to improve battery lifespan: the University of California introduced a small amount of neodymium ions to perovskite molecules, improving their power generation endurance. Meanwhile, Princeton University added an ultra-thin “two-dimensional cover” to the battery, claiming to extend its life up to 30 years.
Not to be left behind, the University of Oxford in the UK optimized the crystallization process to produce high-quality perovskite materials, thereby enhancing the lifespan of the resulting battery product.
Enterprise Positioning Focuses
Japanese companies aiming to introduce perovskite batteries to the market are focusing on product durability in manufacturing. Prominent perovskite companies like Sekisui Chemical and Toshiba plan to commence mass production after 2025 and are striving to have a significant impact on the photovoltaic cell market.
Toshiba introduced a large-area polymer thin-film perovskite module in 2021, although its conversion rate only reached 15.1%, compared to China reaching a conversion rate of 15.5% for mass-produced thin-film modules back in 2014. Sekisui Chemical uses technology to encase perovskite films, improving their durability. This technology resembles the manufacturing process for liquid crystal displays and car windshields.
Many companies across Europe and the United States aim to create high conversion perovskite cells through stacking or tandem technology.
Development Status of Perovskite Cells in China
Currently, several Chinese new energy companies, including LONGi, TONGWEI Group, CATL, and GCL Perovskite, have strategized how to integrate perovskite cells ahead of time.
LONGi currently holds 20 patents related to perovskite cells. TONGWEI launched full-scale research and development on cutting-edge technologies like perovskite/silicon stacked cells. In a performance briefing held in May, CATL stated that its perovskite cell research is progressing well and is constructing a pilot line.
GCL Perovskite’s perovskite module product received certification from TÜV. Additionally, GCL Perovskite’s commercialization process is proceeding rapidly, with the entire production process controlled within 45 minutes.
Similar to the process of cooking, the perovskite solution is synthesized in the laboratory, which is akin to preparation. The cathode is then coated with the perovskite solution (applying coating technology) and when it crystallizes, it’s ready for the next step. After laser cutting, the battery is coated with a back electrode (using PVD technology), following which further laser cutting takes place. Glass, adhesive film, and the anode coated with perovskite form a sandwich structure, culminating in a completed battery component.
There are three main challenges that require solutions for current perovskite cells: cell efficiency, lifetime, and large-scale production. The coating and PVD processes largely determine the efficiency and large-scale production capability of perovskite cells. Both are similar to process technology in the panel industry, where Chinese manufacturers dominate.
China has the advantage of having a complete supply chain for the traditional crystalline silicon PV cell industry and a large PV downstream market. This gives Chinese perovskite researchers and entrepreneurs robust support from the established industry chain.
However, before perovskite cells can be mass-produced, their lifespan must be improved. While conventional crystalline silicon solar cells have a lifespan of 20-25 years, the lifespan of current perovskite cells is still only a few years. Scientists worldwide continue to research the material at the laboratory stage, focusing on improving the lifetime and efficiency of perovskite cells. Although China currently leads in terms of industrialization, it’s generally believed that there are still 3-5 years to go before perovskite batteries can be mass-produced. As a result, it remains uncertain which country and manufacturer will eventually be the first to cross the finish line.