Technical and economic assessment of perovskite solar cells for large scale manufacturing

In this paper, we have carried out detailed technical and economic assessment of perovskite solar cells for large scale manufacturing. For ultra-small area of the order of 0.1 cm2, efficiency of 20% or so are reported. However, for area of 25 cm2, the efficiency is about 10%. Based on the photovoltaic module manufacturing requirements of no constraint on the supply of raw materials, low variability of every key process and process-induced defects, low cost of manufacturing, prospects for further cost reduction in the future, green manufacturing, and long-term reliability, there are absolutely no prospects of manufacturing perovskite solar cells. No one has commercialized perovskite solar cells. Thus, contrary to hype in the literature, there is no truth that perovskite solar cells will replace silicon solar cells. We have also examined the role of perovskite solar cells for increasing the efficiency of silicon solar cells and found unsuitable both for two and four terminal device architectures.