Teesside University is proud to announce its participation in the SUNREY research project, a multi-million pound initiative aimed at developing more efficient and sustainable solar cells using perovskite. The project, which is funded by the European Union's research and innovation programme Horizon Europe within the framework of the Green Deal Initiative with 4.25 Million Euros (approximately £3.75 million), will bring together 13 international partners from research institutes, universities, and companies all over Europe.
The project's goal is to investigate ways of making solar cells more sustainable, efficient, and with lower lead content. The project will look at novel charge transport and electrode materials, cost-efficient deposition techniques, barriers and device encapsulation, as well as process optimization. One of the key aims is to find ways to make perovskite solar cells more stable, with a longer lifespan, and a broader commercialization potential.
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“Simulation of device and degradation mechanisms are a central instrument for reaching these goals. Life cycle, circularity and stability analysis as well as lifetime analysis under realistic lab conditions in an accredited laboratory are accompanying this development,” explains Professor Thomas Riedl, the project coordinator from Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam, Germany.
Perovskite solar cells represent a promising alternative to silicon cells as they emit fewer CO2 equivalents during production, and the temperatures required during their production are lower, saving costs and energy. However, perovskite cells are less stable and consequently have a shorter life span than silicon cells. In addition, the best performing perovskite materials contain lead, which is harmful to health and the environment. The SUNREY project aims to address these challenges and make perovskite solar cells more competitive with silicon cells.
“We are delighted to be taking part in this project which is destined to have a major impact on the production of renewable energy,” says Professor David Hughes, Associate Dean (Research and Innovation) in the School of Computing, Engineer & Digital Technologies at Teesside University. “Making perovskite solar cells more efficient and sustainable will enable us to harness the power of the sun more effectively, with minimal environmental impact. This technology will be of vital importance as the world looks to a future without fossil fuels.”
Teesside University is one of two UK partners in the SUNREY project. The university is committed to forging a smarter, greener industrial economy through the design of novel and disruptive technologies. The university's £13.1 million Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre is nearing completion, and it will position Teesside firmly at the heart of the UK's green industrial revolution.
