Power Roll, the leading flexible solar energy solutions provider, has continued its long standing collaboration with the University of Sheffield to further progress the academic understanding of the use of perovskites in solar energy generation.
This groundbreaking research paper on innovative solar cell manufacturing techniques is the latest step in helping Power Roll to bring rare-earth metal free solar generation to market. With perovskite solar generation still an emerging field, ongoing academic focus is greatly accelerating the advance of product development and scientific understanding.
The newly published paper in ACS Applied Energy Materials, conducted jointly by Power Roll and the University of Sheffield, highlights the development of new designs for perovskite solar cells which are cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable and do not rely on rare earth metals. The paper outlines:
● The fabrication of a new solar cell design which uses 1.5 μm grooves embossed into plastic film, enabling scalable, low-cost manufacturing.
● The elimination of expensive and scarce materials, such as indium, means the technology is both sustainable and affordable.
● The application of roll-to-roll processing techniques, ensures high-throughput production and commercial scalability.
● The exclusion of rare earth metals from the design has resulted in a sustainable and flexible solution that creates broader accessibility to solar power.
This innovative approach paves the way for Power Roll to launch the production of lightweight, flexible solar films that can be used on rooftops and other unconventional surfaces. With the potential to replace diesel generators in off-grid locations and revolutionise rooftop solar power, the technology promises to unlock a £250 billion untapped market.
A Natural Collaboration
Collaboration between Power Roll and the University of Sheffield has always aimed to make energy greener, cleaner and accessible to all. In recent years, the two have worked together on multiple occasions to develop the technology needed to cultivate a brighter future for the UK.
To check the structure and composition of the solar cells a new type of x-ray microscopy, developed at Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire, was used to take very detailed pictures of the solar cells. These also helped to spot hidden problems like empty spaces, flaws and the boundaries between tiny crystals within the semiconductor material and find ways to improve them. This was the first time this type of analysis had been used on this kind of solar cell. The spatial performance of solar cells was also evaluated at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), where novel current response imaging measurements were delivered using advanced imaging methods.
The University of Sheffield is globally recognised as a leader in sustainability and advanced manufacturing. The University’s dedication to tackling global energy challenges and commitment to renewable energy make it the ideal partner for Power Roll whose disruptive technology aims to shape global clean energy solutions via a secure and deployable product.
Dr. Nathan Hill, Research Scientist at Power Roll who led on the paper said: “This partnership demonstrates the potential of combining cutting-edge research with industrial innovation to deliver transformative solutions in renewable energy. We are advancing technology that could play a significant role in achieving global net-zero targets, and by combining our collective research and academic capabilities we are able to further prove out the science sitting behind Power Roll’s technology. It’s exciting to see our relationship with Power Roll continue to strengthen. Previously, we have worked with the University of Sheffield’s Department of Physics and Astronomy to further develop our solar designs, which not only reduced manufacturing costs but also enhanced solar efficiency.”
Professor David Lidzey, from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Sheffield and co-author of the paper said: “Solar energy is a strategic priority for our research and one of our key competences is developing innovative techniques for fabricating and depositing solution-processable solar cells. We've partnered with Power Roll for over ten years, combining our expertise in materials science and advanced imaging techniques with their focus on manufacturing. Together, we've gained a deep understanding of how their solar cells work, identifying key areas for improvement. This collaboration has been very successful and further projects are planned to provide further insight in this exciting area of development."
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