Solar energy
New solar cells capable of achieving records performance in laboratory have reignited the debate about the future of photovoltaic innovation. Although technological advances are impressive and indicate high potential for electricity generation, experts warn that… efficiency In isolation, it is not enough to guarantee commercial competitiveness.
According to an article published by the Inovação Tecnológica website on March 4th.The industry’s accumulated experience shows that only a minority of technologies that shine on the lab bench manage to become widely adopted products. Barriers such as manufacturing costs, industrial scalability, material stability, and durability over decades remain decisive.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology analyzed precisely this challenge: understanding what is needed, in both academic and industrial contexts, for a new solar cell to be able to compete in the market in the long term. The analysis focused on two of the most promising materials of recent decades: CIGS and perovskite.
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The results reinforce a finding that is relevant for investors, policymakers, and energy industry professionals: breaking successive records in the laboratory may not offer a real advantage if the technology does not solve structural issues of cost and reliability.
Achieving laboratory records means that a cell has successfully converted a high proportion of incident sunlight into electricity under controlled conditions. These tests follow standardized protocols and represent an important technical milestone.
In recent years, perovskite solar cells have surpassed 25% efficiency in single-junction configurations, while tandem structures—combining silicon and perovskite—have exceeded 30% in experimental settings, according to data widely released by international research centers such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
However, it is crucial to distinguish between a cell and a module. A cell is the individual device tested in a laboratory. A module is the complete panel installed on rooftops or in solar power plants. During the transition to commercial scale, performance losses are common.
Furthermore, high efficiency does not compensate for structural flaws. If the material degrades rapidly or if the production process is too expensive, the percentage gain obtained in the laboratory loses economic relevance.
Copper indium gallium diselenide, known as CIGS, was considered for years a new solar cell capable of competing with crystalline silicon. In the laboratory, it accumulated efficiency records and received substantial funding from both the public and private sectors.
However, the manufacturing process proved to be relatively expensive and complex. The technology required strict control of material deposition and involved expensive inputs. When silicon prices fell and its global production scaled up, CIGS lost competitiveness.
The recovery and subsequent reduction in silicon costs consolidated this technology as dominant. Currently, more than 90% of the global photovoltaic market is based on silicon, according to the International Energy Agency.
Laboratory records did not automatically translate into commercial leadership. Even so, CIGS did not disappear. Researchers point to a resurgence of the technology, especially in specific applications that require lighter and more flexible modules.
The trajectory of perovskites is frequently cited as an example of accelerated evolution. In 2009, the first cells had an efficiency of less than 4%. Just over a decade later, they already exceed 25% in the laboratory, a significant leap for any energy technology.
The main advantage cited is the possibility of manufacturing through multiple processes, including roll-to-roll printing. In theory, this would allow for reduced costs and simplified large-scale production.
However, the limitations are significant. The material is sensitive to moisture, oxygen, intense radiation, and heat. According to technical analyses, many perovskite cells degrade even before completing long-term laboratory tests. In some cases, they malfunction before the end of the tests.
For the market, this is a critical obstacle. Solar modules need to operate for 20 to 30 years for the investment to be financially viable. Without proof of stability over that timeframe, record efficiency loses strategic value.
The solar industry operates with tight margins and high production volume. What really matters to investors is the levelized cost of energy over the system’s lifetime.
A new solar cell may exhibit superior efficiency in the laboratory, but if it requires expensive equipment, rare materials, or complex processes, its cost per installed watt tends to be high. This reduces its competitiveness compared to already established technologies.
Furthermore, industrial scalability is a technical and financial challenge. Adapting a benchtop process for factories that produce gigawatts per year requires standardization, quality control, and investments in the billions. Small variations can compromise the uniformity of the modules. The industry’s history shows that efficiency is only one variable. Durability, reliability, and predictability are equally crucial.
The analysis conducted by the researchers highlights the importance of learning from past experiences, especially with the commercialization of CIGS cells. According to experts, an excessive focus on efficiency records can divert attention from fundamental aspects.
The recommendation is that the scientific community focus its efforts on the resilience, stability, and sustainability of materials. Long-term field testing is also considered essential.
While in academia laboratory records generate publications and attract funding, for industry it is more important that the product has a long lifespan, is reliable, and can be manufactured in an economically viable way.
Despite their limitations, technologies like CIGS and perovskite don’t need to compete directly with silicon in large solar power plants. They can occupy strategic niches.
Lightweight, flexible, and ultra-thin cells can be applied to mobile devices, architectural facades, Internet of Things sensors, and smart textiles. In these cases, reduced weight and structural adaptability become significant differentiators. Thus, even if they don’t replace silicon on a large scale, these technologies can complement the global energy portfolio.
A recent history of photovoltaic energy This demonstrates that a new solar cell can accumulate impressive records in the laboratory and still face significant obstacles to reach the market.
The CIGS case highlights how costs and production complexity can hinder a promising technology. The trajectory of perovskites, in turn, shows that rapid efficiency gains need to be accompanied by stability and long-term testing.
High efficiency remains an essential technical indicator. However, cost, industrial scale, durability, and sustainability are factors that determine commercial viability.
For investors and industry professionals, tracking laboratory records is important, but analyzing the full set of variables is crucial. Success depends not only on percentage figures, but also on the ability to transform scientific innovation into practical, competitive, and reliable solutions over decades.
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