Oxford researchers develop new photovoltaic solar cell with potential to deliver lower cost solar cells
Oxford researchers have developed a new photovoltaic (PV) technology with the potential to deliver low-cost solar cells which can be readily incorporated into glass building facades. The technology makes use of a simple manufacturing process with inexpensive and abundant raw materials. Prototypes of these new Meso-Superstructured Solar Cells (MSSC) have achieved 10.9% efficiency. This new class of solar cell technology combines specifically formulated ceramics with thin films. An MSSC mixture can be printed directly onto glass and processed at below 150° C to produce a semi-transparent layer.
Dr. Henry Snaith, Chief Scientific Officer of OPV in charge of research, said, “The MSSCs have proven to suffer from few losses to provide a photovoltage of 1.1 volts. The plan is to continuously optimise MSSCs towards the goal of over 20% efficiency.”