Discovered in 1839 in the Ural Mountains and ignored for more than a century and a half, perovskite became the subject of the first solar cell developed by Japanese researcher Tsutomu Miyasaka in 2009. Today, factories in China are producing perovskite solar panels on an industrial scale, with remarkable results: tandem cells, which combine a layer of perovskite over silicon, have already reached 29.2% efficiency and 907 watts on a standard-sized panel. Silicon, which has dominated the market for 70 years, is approaching its physical limit of around 33%, while current commercial panels convert only 20–22.5% of sunlight.

(Staff: China / Energy & Technology)

China is on the verge of fundamentally changing the way we produce solar energy. While the world continues to rely on silicon panels, Chinese researchers and industry are investing heavily in a material that could revolutionize the entire sector: perovskite. This mineral, first discovered in 1839 in Russia’s Ural Mountains, was largely overlooked for more than 150 years. It was only in 2009 that Japanese researcher Tsutomu Miyasaka built the first perovskite solar cell, opening a path that China has since turned into an industry.

Why could perovskite outperform silicon?

Silicon has been the basic material used in solar panels for seven decades. But the technology is approaching its physical limits. The theoretical maximum efficiency of silicon is around 33%, while today’s commercial panels convert only 20–22.5% of sunlight into electricity. In other words, around 80% of the light hitting a roof is wasted.

In addition, silicon production is extremely energy-intensive: it requires quartz sand to be heated to more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit in huge furnaces. This process consumes a great deal of energy and is costly.

Perovskite changes the equation:

• It can be dissolved in a liquid and applied by spraying or printing onto surfaces at room temperature.
• It uses a fraction of the raw materials required for silicon.
• It produces approximately one-third less carbon dioxide per watt than traditional silicon manufacturing.
• Engineers have already succeeded in applying it to flexible plastic, curved surfaces and windows.

Tandem cells: perovskite over silicon

The most promising application is the tandem cell, which combines a layer of perovskite on top of a silicon cell. This configuration has already reached 29.2% efficiency and an output of 907 watts on a standard-sized panel. It is a performance that goes well beyond what conventional silicon panels can offer.

Industrial-scale production in China

Factories in China are already producing perovskite solar panels on an industrial scale. This production capacity, combined with lower costs and the ability to print the material onto different surfaces, could significantly accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

What comes next?

Although perovskite has enormous potential, challenges remain concerning durability, long-term stability and the use of lead in the composition of some cells. Research is continuing, and China appears determined to take a leading role in this technological race.

Conclusion

Perovskite is not simply an alternative to silicon. It is a technology that could change the rules of the game in solar energy. From a mineral that was overlooked for a century and a half to highly efficient solar panels produced on an industrial scale, the story of perovskite shows how quickly innovation can advance when there is determination and investment. And China, this time, is at the forefront of the revolution.