More and more of the world is relying on renewable energy to meet increasing electricity demands and solar power is the third-largest renewable energy source after hydroelectric and wind. 

However, with the cost of solar PV dropping dramatically in recent years and its versatility in deployment, solar is expected to become the largest renewable energy source in the world by 2030, according to the International Energy Association. 

But one of the reasons why solar power is becoming more and more popular is that the technology has advanced, and is continuing to advance considerably. Perovskite solar cells are one of the advances in this field that it’s worth keeping an eye on.

What are perovskite solar cells?

Perovskite solar cells are solar cells made up of a natural material known as halide perovskites. These materials are made up of naturally occurring minerals and have a distinctive crystal structure which lends them their name. 

Since their early iterations, perovskite solar cells have significantly improved, particularly in terms of their efficiency. According to the Renewable Energy Institute, perovskite solar cells now operate at over 25 per cent efficiency and there is the possibility that this could increase further. 

This is important because traditional photovoltaic (PV) solar panels can only operate at levels of between 25 and 27 per cent efficiency. They aren’t able to increase their efficiency further. 

What are the benefits of perovskite solar cells?

Aside from their higher efficiency, the main benefits to perovskite solar cells over traditional PV solar panels are:

  • The cost of production.
  • The fact that perovskites can tolerate defects in its structure and still effectively generate energy (which silicon-based panels can’t).
  • Their lightweight nature.
  • The fact that they can be used to convert a broader range of the light spectrum into energy.

Perovskite solar cells are considerably cheaper to produce than their silicon-based counterparts, because perovskite is not only cheaper to buy but also cheaper to turn into solar cells, using chemicals like strontium titanate. 

Their ability to function even when there are defects in the structure, such as impurities and other imperfections, is one of the reasons why they outperform traditional silicon solar PV cells in terms of cost.

Innovative uses of perovskite solar cells

Being lightweight is also a significant advantage, because it opens the door to including solar panels in many more locations – including on clothing. At Expo 2025 in Japan, for example, the Toyota Group company Toyoda Gosei was showcasing wearable solar panels made from perovskite cells. 

A report for CNN highlighted various products on display at the show that are using perovskite cells in innovative ways. 

Perovskite cells can be made into films, for instance, which can be applied to windows and other surfaces allowing them to generate energy. This simply isn’t possible for bulky and heavy solar PV panels. 

The other reason many people are excited by the potential of perovskite solar cells is that they can convert a broader range of the light spectrum into energy. This includes in low-light environments and even indoors. 

That’s because perovskite cells can convert energy from fluorescent and LED-generated light, as well as from sunlight. Again, this points to a future where solar panels can be installed in a range of locations currently impossible right now. 

Why aren’t we using perovskite solar cells already?

Despite their many benefits, there is one significant disadvantage to perovskite solar cells that has so far held their adoption back: durability. Perovskite cells degrade much more quickly than their silicon-based counterparts, which means that they are currently not a solution for long-term power generation. 

On average, perovskite solar cells last just two to three years because the material is more susceptible to degradation than silicon. By contrast, traditional solar PV panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. 

The other reason why perovskite solar cells haven’t become more widespread is that many of them contain lead, which as we know is a harmful material. This means there are concerns about whether lead could leak into the environment if these panels were damaged. 

What is the future for perovskite solar cells?

A great deal of research is ongoing to help find solutions to the limitations currently placed on perovskite as a material for solar cells. For instance, some researchers have had success with making tin-based perovskite as an alternative to the lead-based material, which could remove the issue around toxic materials. 

At Expo 2025, many of the products on show are also being tested in this environment to see how they fare and what improvements could be made. Toyoda Gosei’s wearable panels are being used to power wearable fans, for instance, and the company is using the event as an opportunity to test their invention in real-world conditions.