A new technology for manufacturing solar panels has emerged

98 percent of solar cells are made from silicon. Russian scientists offer a cheaper alternative to this material. They are working on this project together with colleagues from Switzerland, China, Belgium, Japan, Germany and Luxembourg.

Experts have developed a new method for manufacturing solar cells using perovskite minerals based on lead salts. The technology will make battery production easier and cheaper, scientists say. At the same time, they convert light into electricity as efficiently as silicon – its efficiency is regarding 25 percent. The project, according to the authors, will increase the number of consumers of solar panels and accelerate the transition to “green energy”.

Perovskite batteries, however, have significant disadvantages. Photovoltaic cells made from this material are small and short-lived. An ionic liquid can solve the problem. With its help, scientists grow large, homogeneous modules. And most importantly, the melt increases the strength of solar cells: the efficiency of the module remains even following thousands of hours of operation.