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With a new hydrogen treatment, kesterite solar panels have achieved a record 13,2% efficiency, leaving perovskite behind and paving the way for a more sustainable, affordable and toxic-free future. Are we on the cusp of a new era of solar energy?
Solar energy is changing—and fast. For a long time, perovskite was the big promise in the sector, with sky-high efficiency. But there’s a problem (several, actually): it’s unstable, can degrade quickly, and also contains lead, a toxic material. And now, what’s on the radar as a promising replacement? Kesterite solar panels.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia have just broken a new efficiency record for this material, reaching 13,2%. All thanks to a clever trick: a special treatment with hydrogen. Could kesterite could be the future of solar energy? Let's find out.
What are Kesterite Solar Panels and Why is Everyone Talking About Them?
To begin with, kesterite is a material made of copper, zinc, tin and sulfur. What makes it different? These elements are abundant, non-toxic and easy to find, unlike perovskite, which has a very un-ecological footprint.
Kesterite solar panels are cheap to manufacture and have great potential for efficiency. The only issue that has been holding them back has been a technical problem: the presence of microscopic defects in the material, which reduce its ability to convert sunlight into electricity. But now Australian scientists have found a solution.
The Secret of Hydrogen: How a Simple Treatment Skyrocketed Kesterite's Efficiency
The researchers' big idea was to use hydrogen in a special heat treatment, a known process as passivation. In practice, this means that hydrogen fills the defects in the kesterite, reducing the flaws and allowing it to better utilize sunlight.
The result? A leap in efficiency, from 11% (where it had been stagnant for years) to 13,2%. And it doesn't stop there: scientists believe it could reach 15% next year and even 20% in the future, which would make kesterite one of the best solar energy options on the market.
Perovskite vs. Kesterite: Who Will Dominate the Solar Market?
If we look only at efficiency, perovskite still has the edge. They have already reached 40% in the laboratory, which is incredible. But… what about the downside? Well, the material is unstable, can deteriorate quickly and, worse: it contains lead, a super toxic element that, when in contact with water, can be an environmental disaster.
Kesterite solar panels, on the other hand, are much more sustainable. In addition to being safe and environmentally friendly, they are made from abundant materials, which means they do not depend on rare and expensive raw materials. If they can reach 20% efficiency, they could become the best alternative for the future of solar energy.
When will we see these panels on the market?
UNSW researchers expect kesterite solar panels to become commercially viable by 2030. However, there are still some barriers to overcome before this can happen. The main one is to continue reducing manufacturing defects and further improving the material's efficiency.
If all goes well, kesterite could become a leading candidate to replace silicon (which currently dominates the solar market), offering a cheaper, more sustainable and efficient option.
Tandem technology: The trick to further increasing efficiency
Scientists are also excited about another possibility: using kesterite in tandem cells. What does that mean? Simple: combining two or more photovoltaic materials to create hybrid solar panels that capture more light and generate even more energy.
Currently, the most promising tandem panels combine silicon with perovskite. But if kesterite can achieve 20% efficiency, it could replace perovskite in these systems and create a safer and more durable alternative for the generation of solar energy.
