Yabing Qi from Shanghai Jiao Tong University & Guoqing Tong, Yang Jiang from Hefei University of Technology & Luis K. Ono from OIST et al. Publish in Joule
In recent years, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted increased attention in both academic and industrial communities due to their high efficiency, facile fabrication, low cost and compatibility with tandem devices, making them an ideal candidate for next-generation photovoltaic technology. As efficiency continues to improve, perovskite solar modules (PSMs) are transitioning from laboratory research to industrial applications. Currently, the efficiency of small-area lab-scale PSCs and PSMs has exceeded 27% and 23%, respectively. Industrial-scale modules have also evolved from initial sizes of 30×30 cm²to 0.6×1.2 m², with production scaling from megawatt (MW) to hundreds of megawatts or even gigawatt (GW) levels. Despite rapid progress in efficiency and industrialization, it remains a significant challenge to achieve commercially viable modules with efficiencies surpassing 20%.
Lab-scale perovskite modules (including single-junction and tandem structures) are primarily fabricated using the spin-coating method that offers precise composition control, easy nucleation optimization, uniform thin films and compatibility with doping and interface modifications. Additionally, due to their small size (≤100 cm²), these modules can be prepared and tested in controlled environments such as gloveboxes and desiccators, minimizing external interference. However, for industrial-scale production, methods such as slot-die coating and magnetron sputtering are employed to meet the demands of large-area (≥900 cm²) continuous fabrication of perovskite and functional layers (electron/hole transport layers). While these methods are scalable and durable, they struggle with film non-uniformity, difficult nucleation control and susceptibility to environmental factors. Furthermore, widely used film growth modulation and surface/interface passivation methods are often too complex or delicate for direct application in mass production.
Recently, Prof. Yabing Qi from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Prof. Guoqing Tong and Prof. Yang Jiang from Hefei University of Technology, and Dr. Luis K. Ono from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) published a review article in Joule titled "Perovskite solar modules with high efficiency exceeding 20%: from laboratory to industrial community." The paper provides an overview of current developments of perovskite solar modules exceeding 20% efficiency, covering device configurations, manufacturing techniques, lab-scale module research, industrial-scale technology exploration, and the development of perovskite/perovskite and perovskite/silicon tandem modules. The authors also outlined the perspectives on future industrial-scale challenges, emphasizing process controllability, stability and costs.
Figure 1. Efficiency statistics of single-junction PSMs
(A) Statistical results of PSMs (area = 10–25 cm²) with efficiencies surpassing 20%.
(B) Statistical results of PSMs (area = 25–100 cm²) with efficiencies surpassing 20%.
(C) Statistics on PSMs exceeding 20% efficiency in industrial communities. “※” indicates that the size is the substrate size.
Figure 2. Efficiency statistics of tandem PSMs
(A) Efficiency statistics of laboratory-scale tandem PSMs exceeding 20%.
(B) Efficiency statistics of industrial communities with tandem PSMs exceeding 20%.
Figure 3. Large-area PSM: Structural design and fabrication scalability
(A) Schematic illustration of a PSM architecture.
(B) Scalable fabrication techniques for large-area PSMs.
This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province, China; the Key Research and Development Plan of Anhui Province, China. It also receives strong support from Global Institute of Future Technology and Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
Paper Title: Perovskite solar modules with high efficiency exceeding 20%: from laboratory to industrial community
Authors: Xuean Liu, Jiahao Zhang, Baochang Wang, Guoqing Tong*, Jingting Yang, Yuxin Shi, Zicong Chen, Luis K. Ono*, Yang Jiang*, and Yabing Qi*
