Perovskite: The 'wonder material' that could transform solar

However, when compared with the energy output of the panels, the scale of lead used is tiny, and much lower than for the same amount of energy produced by burning coal, according to Joseph Berry, a researcher at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which studies the commercially viability of perovskites for solar technology. Any toxicity problems when disposing of the panels could be avoided through designing appropriate recycling or reuse processes, he adds.  

Oxford PV says that its panels are designed to be recycled in the same way as standard silicon panels (which also contain lead). The solar industry at large is looking at how best to recycle panels, including lead.

Real world benefits? 

In Oxford PV’s lab, operations are laser focussed on solving tandem solar cells’ remaining technical issues.

Here, an environmental chamber carries out “accelerated ageing tests”, where test cells are exposed to extreme conditions such as high heat, humidity and rapid hot-cold cycles, simulating years of environmental exposure in weeks or months. “These tests give an idea of how the cells could degrade in the field under various conditions without having to wait five, 10 or 15 years,” says Laura Miranda, Oxford PV’s head of sustainability.

Considering perovskite’s sensitivity to moisture and heat, data showing its long-term reliability will be vital for commercialisation. But it’s hard to come by in such a young technology, says Berry. “Manufacturers of silicon modules can guarantee 30-year lifetimes because they’ve got 30 years of field data,” he says. “But for perovskites, knowing that the module we’re making today is going to last 30 years is a really hard material science question.”