Scientists at the University of Manchester have deployed polystyrene particles instead of expensive polymers to make the next generation of solar cells at lower costs.
By doing this, the researchers say that the solar cells made from polystyrene particles would create solar panels that are not only cheaper but also more stable.
In turn, the cost of production and manufacturing of the solar cells would be reduced significantly. Eventually, the scientists say that this would lead to cheaper electricity in the future for consumers at a time when power costs are flaring up.
The research by the University of Manchester scientists has been published in the journal Nanoscale by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It illustrates how the scientists could cut down the costs and enhance the stability of Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) by using insulating polystyrene microgel particles.
A new type of solar panel, PSCs are being talked about to be among the top ten emerging technologies by the World Economic Forum. The scientists say that it is due to PSCs’ having the matchless increases in their rate of power conversion efficiency while potentially having relatively low cost per watt.
The University of Manchester, School of Materials Polymer and Colloid Chemistry professor Brian Saunders said: “More research is required to enable the full potential of the exciting PSC technology to be realised.
“Improving PSC stability and reducing expensive hole-transport material (HTM) use are two aspects that are gaining increased attention. That is why we’re looking at how best to produce PSCs, keep them dry and make them even more commercially viable in the future.”
The scientists believe that the power conversion efficiency of PSCs is getting on par with established solar PV technology. Further, they say that the PSCs are turning out to be more commercially attractive owing to their potential of reaching even higher efficiencies in a much shorter time to go along with their relative low costs involved in their production.
Image: A new research reveals use of polystyrene particles to make stable and cheaper solar cells. Photo: courtesy of The University of Manchester.