NREL boosts perovskite efficiency with breakthrough CPMAC salt layer

The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), headquartered in Colorado has improved inverted perovskite solar cells by replacing the C60 layer with CPMAC salt, which has tripled the electron transport layer’s mechanical stability. The CPMAC-based cell has reached a 26.1% power conversion efficiency, while the C60-based version was at 25.5%. NREL has reported that stress tests showed ~2% degradation after 2,100 hours at 65°C and ~5% after 1,500 hours at 85°C. A minimodule with four subcells and a six-square-centimeter area has delivered 23% efficiency with under 9% degradation after 2,200 hours at 55°C. The research was conducted with collaborators from King Abdullah University, Newcastle University, and US academic and industry partners.