Transparent perovskite solar cells could transform windows into energy sources

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore have developed ultra-thin, transparent solar cells made from perovskite materials capable of absorbing sunlight. According to a report by Gadgets360 on Sunday (17/5), the findings, published in the journal ACS Energy Letters, hold the potential to transform buildings, vehicles, and various devices into sustainable energy producers from sunlight.

Based on the research paper published in the journal, the NTU research team, led by Associate Professor Annalised Bruno, utilised thermal evaporation technology relying on vacuum methods to precisely create cells with microscopic perovskite layers. Compared to conventional solar cells, the newly developed cells are significantly thinner yet maintain impressive power conversion efficiency.

The primary advantage of the solar cells developed by the NTU researchers is their completely transparent and colourless appearance. Currently, buildings are estimated to account for approximately 40 per cent of global energy consumption. With the development of these thin and transparent solar cells, the glass surfaces of buildings could potentially be converted into energy generators.

In addition to architectural applications, this solar cell innovation is also claimed to be applicable to vehicle windows, glass roofs, and smart glasses to generate power for electronic devices.