China recently connected an 8.6 MW solar plant to the grid. Notably, the installation exclusively utilizes solar panels made from perovskite cells.
Details. The PV facility is the world’s largest built using perovskite solar technology. It’s located on a hillside in Lishui, a rural area of Zhejiang province in Eastern China.
Additionally, it features a total of 95,648 solar panels. They’re manufactured by MicroQuanta Semiconductor, a company that specializes in the development and selling of perovskite photovoltaic cells. MicroQuanta has previously inaugurated similar facilities.
Dual purpose. The 90 W modules are installed at a 22-degree angle. As such, it takes advantage of the natural slope of the land, which had previously gone unutilized. In addition, the panels are elevated 6.5 feet off the ground to enable agricultural activities alongside solar energy generation.
This agrivoltaic project was specifically designed to withstand the region’s hot, rainy summers and mild winters. According to MicroQuanta, perovskite modules outperform conventional panels in less favorable sunlight conditions. This is thanks to their low-temperature coefficient, their ability to efficiently convert a broader spectrum of light, and their overall cost-effectiveness.
MicroQuanta Semiconductor. Perovskite solar cells have Japanese origins. In fact, Japan has recently made significant efforts to develop this technology further. However, MicroQuanta has been developing perovskite cells since 2015.
In 2019, the company’s research and development team gained recognition for achieving a conversion efficiency of 14.24% with a large-area perovskite solar module. In May 2022, MicroQuanta set a new world record, reaching an impressive 20.2% conversion efficiency with its third-generation technology.
What’s next? Perovskite solar panels are seen as the most promising alternative to traditional crystalline silicon panels. They’re capable of utilizing a broader range of the solar spectrum, which enhances their performance in low-light conditions. Moreover, perovskite cells are more cost-effective because they’re made from readily available materials.
Perovskite solar cells are inspired by the mineral of the same name. They can be produced on flexible substrates, enabling their integration into moving or curved surfaces. However, the most efficient perovskite cells are typically manufactured in tandem with silicon.
In recent years, the focus of perovskite photovoltaic cell development has been on increasing their stability and durability, as well as eliminating the use of lead in the manufacturing process.
Image | MicroQuanta| Chirayu Trivedi
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