Colorful solar modules: KIT researchers report a breakthrough

But there is a small drop of bitterness: because each layer of color still absorbs a bit of light, the colored cells do not quite reach the efficiency of perwoskite cells without color. But up to 60 percent of this could be proven in large-scale test series for all three primary colors, yellow, magenta, cyan blue and white, says Eggers. “And because you can mix all other colors from these three, this applies to all colors.” Other visual gimmicks, such as a marble pattern resembling natural stone slabs, are possible thanks to inkjet technology. Here, the researchers were able to achieve efficiencies of 14 percent with their colored cells. This is a very good value: Classic blue silicon cells on the market are currently around 19 to 21 percent. “Since the new color cells open up new areas for photovoltaics, such as facades and listed roofs, the somewhat weaker efficiency is not an obstacle,” says Erban from Sunovation.