Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro Perovskites promise to revolutionize the photovoltaic sector: from Mellow Energy's flexible modules to Oxford's ultra-thin coatings, solar energy becomes more versatile, efficient and sustainable
©Mellow Energy
Mellow Energy, a Chinese company originating from an institute spin-off of the Institute of New Energy Technology at Jinan University, has taken photovoltaic technology further ahead with an announcement for the world’s largest flexible solar module, ML-Fix.
According to the company, the new module measures 47.2 in x 63 in x 0.04 in and weighs only 4.5 lbs, making further claims on its lightness and scalability. Another demonstration of perovskite, the new material of interest due to its high efficiency and ease and affordability of production, was brought forward.
Possible applications of perovskite
Mellow Energy underlines that the ML-Flex module can be a game-changer for several applications, from wearables to portable solar, electric vehicles, UAVs, and even BIPV. The potential fields of application for perovskites are wide-ranging. That’s the kind of versatility with which perovskites have the potential to disrupt many industrial segments.
It is promising, especially in terms of technical specifications: the power output ranges from 260 W to 300 W, with a conversion efficiency between 13.5% and 15.1%. The open-circuit voltage is between 200 V and 205 V, while the short-circuit current is between 2.16 A and 2.26 A. Operating temperatures are between -40°F and 185°F with a temperature coefficient of -0.30%/°C. Added to these features, there is an IP 68-junction box which can assure the best protection from water and dust.
Mellow Energy announced its manufacturing line is designed for 100 MW and is compatible with the production of rigid and flexible modules. Presently, the production process is undergoing performance and capacity optimization-one of the very important steps to large-scale production.
The flexible modules have already reached the stage of stability testing. Rigid versions are under preparation for obtaining IEC 61215 certification, expected in June, whereas the third-party efficiency verification for both types “continues, with results coming soon.” ULTRA-THIN SOLAR COATINGS
Besides the success of Mellow Energy, more developments in perovskites come from the University of Oxford. Scientists there work on developing an ultra-thin photovoltaic coating with a thickness of only one micron-100 times thinner than the thickness of a human hair. This is what could be inkjet-printed on the surface, like rucksacks, smartphones, and car roofs, allowing the capturing of sunlight in a far less invasive way.
According to the researchers, the coating is designed to absorb more sunlight than traditional silicon panels and has an efficiency of as much as 27% compared with 22% of current commercial photovoltaic modules. They also suggest that, with further improvements, efficiency could surpass 45%, opening completely new possibilities for the sector.
This, scientists said, can save the building of large solar farms occupying huge areas since it is considered one of the major setbacks to traditional photovoltaics. However, they have also clarified that this is not a replacement but an alternative in order to have solar energy production in a more sustainable manner.
Challenges and future prospects for perovskites
But even with all this development, the lack of stability in perovskites, the main headache that up to now prevents their mass application, was underlined by scientists. Some coatings degrade rapidly under uncontrolled conditions and thus are not durable like the conventional silicon type of solar panels.
Nevertheless, perovskites are one of the most promising innovations within the renewable energy sector. The fact that the material can be applied to nearly any surface-from building facades to automobiles-can greatly reduce production costs and speed up the world’s transition to clean energy.
Henry Snaith of the Oxford team, lead researcher, has stated that any innovation in this area of technology can give a complete new path toward a newer industry which creates solar energy far more sustainably and inexpensively. Snaith also claimed that Oxford PV, born at the University of Oxford, began the large-scale production of these perovskite panels last summer in a German facility as evidence of real commercial potential in the technology.
Source: Mellow Energy
