This atomic force microscopy image of the grainy surface of a perovskite solar cell reveals a new path to much greater efficiency. Individual grains are black, low-performing facets are red, high-performing facets are green (photo: Berkeley Lab)
Scientists from the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have discovered a possible secret to dramatically boosting the efficiency of perovskite solar cells hidden in the nanoscale peaks and valleys of the crystalline material. Solar cells made from compounds that have the crystal structure of the mineral perovskite have captured scientists’ imaginations.
The German organic photovoltaics supplier Heliatek GmbH has teamed up with Kandil Steel to realise its first building-integrated organic photovoltaic (BIOPV) pilot project in Africa. HeliaFilm, Heliatek’s organic solar film, is at the core of this installation in Egypt, which represents a first test project for further steel applications by Kandil Steel.
The German-based solar film manufacturer Heliatek GmbH has won the GreenTec Award in the “Production” category. The company won the award for its innovative, vacuum roll-to-roll production process used to manufacture HeliaFilm, an organic solar film applied mainly on building facades.
