Yannick E

- Research Program Mentor

Project ideas

Evaluating the risk-to-reward relationship for implementation of Pb-based Perovskite Solar Cells

In recent years, there has been interest in alternative energy sources, as a result of the detrimental impacts that non-renewable energy sources, such as petroleum and coal, have on the environment (i.e. global warming). Photovoltaics has been the leading technology in the drive for sustainable energy sources. It has been predicted that by 2050, wind and solar harvesting technologies will make up close to 50% of the world energy electricity. Solar cells comprising perovskite active layers have been one of the most widely researched photovoltaic technologies in recent years, experiencing the fastest rise in power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of any emerging solar cell technology. Compared to traditional Silicon-based solar cells, perovskite-based solar cells have a smaller materials cost, are able to be processed at ambient temperatures and typically have low, direct and tunable bandgaps. Additionally, while perovskite-based cells have not been able to surpass Silicon-based ones in terms of PCE, tandem solar cells containing both Silicon and perovskite have continued to break records for PCE. The main drawback of perovskite solar cells is that the best forming perovskite chemistries are Lead (Pb)-based. While there are methods available to encapsulate solar cells, commercial implementation of this solar cell technology will come with an inherent risk due to the high toxicity of Pb0. The goal of this project is therefore to evaluate the risk-to-reward relationship for commercial implementation of Pb-based perovskite solar cells. The risk-to-reward relationship may look different for developed countries like the USA versus underdeveloped countries where cheaper solar cell technologies may be more beneficial and desirable.

Coding skills