The project ’ s goal is to lift perovskite solar cell efficiency to 26 per cent . The research is part of a collaboration backed by $ 3.6 million in funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency ’ s ( ARENA ) ‘ solar excellence ’ initiative .
The achievement demonstrated the importance of supporting early stage renewable energy technologies : “ In the future , this world-leading R & D could deliver efficiency wins for households and businesses through rooftop solar as well as for big solar projects like those being advanced through ARENA ’ s investment in large-scale solar .”
- Ivor Frischknecht , ARENA ’ s CEO
To make a perovskite solar cells , engineers grow crystals into a structure known as ‘ perovskite ’, named after Lev Perovski , the Russian mineralogist who discovered it . They first dissolve a selection of compounds in a liquid to make the ‘ ink ’, then deposit this on a specialised glass which can conduct electricity . When the ink dries , it leaves behind a thin film that crystallises on top of the glass when mild heat is applied , resulting in a thin layer of perovskite crystals . The tricky part is growing a thin film of perovskite crystals so the resulting solar cell absorbs a maximum amount of light . Worldwide , engineers are working to create smooth and regular layers of perovskite with large crystal grain sizes in order to increase photovoltaic yields .
Ho-Baillie , who obtained her PhD at UNSW in 2004 , is a former chief engineer for Solar Sailor , an Australian company which integrates solar cells into purpose-designed commercial marine ferries which currently ply waterways in Sydney , Shanghai and Hong Kong .
www . EQMagPro . com EQ December 2016 27