NTU Singapore develops ultra-thin perovskite solar cells for potential building integration

Perovskite solar cells – Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) have developed an ultra-thin form of perovskite solar cell technology that could support future applications in building-integrated photovoltaics, including energy-generating windows and façade systems.

The work, published in ACS Energy Letters, focuses on reducing the thickness of perovskite absorber layers while maintaining functional performance. According to the research summary, the team fabricated solar cells using a vacuum-based thermal evaporation process, in which materials are vaporized in a controlled chamber and deposited as thin films onto a substrate. The approach differs from many conventional solution-based fabrication methods commonly used in perovskite research.

Researchers reported that the method enabled the production of perovskite absorber layers at nanometer-scale thicknesses, with devices demonstrated across a range of film thicknesses. The study describes both opaque and semi-transparent configurations, achieved by adjusting deposition parameters to control how much light passes through the active layer.

In the reported results, device performance varied with thickness. Opaque versions of the solar cells showed higher conversion efficiencies at increased film thicknesses, while thinner devices produced lower efficiency but greater transparency. A semi-transparent configuration was also demonstrated, allowing a portion of visible light to pass through while still generating electricity.

The research highlights the potential of these devices for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), an approach that incorporates solar energy generation directly into architectural materials such as glass. This concept is widely studied as a way to expand solar deployment in urban environments where available rooftop space is limited.

The team notes that vacuum-based deposition may offer advantages for scalability and manufacturing control compared with solution-based techniques, including potentially more uniform thin-film formation. However, the study remains at laboratory scale, and further validation is required to assess long-term stability, durability, and performance under real-world conditions.

Perovskite solar cells are widely regarded as a promising photovoltaic technology due to their high efficiency potential and relatively low production costs compared with conventional silicon-based cells. However, challenges related to material stability, moisture sensitivity, and large-area manufacturing remain key barriers to commercialization across the field.

NTU researchers have reportedly filed a patent related to the ultra-thin perovskite structure through NTUitive, the university’s innovation and enterprise arm. The team is also working with industry partners to further evaluate the fabrication method and explore pathways toward scalable production.

While the findings contribute to ongoing global research into next-generation solar technologies, the results remain at an early stage, with performance demonstrated primarily in small-area experimental devices.

Source: Indexbox