A Research Method Advanced at Vilnius University Could Make Solar Cells Three Times Cheaper and More Efficient

Patrik Ščajev, a senior researcher at the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University (VU), in collaboration with colleagues from the US, has published an article in the prestigious journal "Advanced Energy Materials". The research team applied an innovative method that has been advanced at VU and offered new insights into replacing silicon in the creation of more efficient and affordable solar cells.

Currently, silicon dominates the global solar module market. However, according to the researchers, this semiconductor is not ideal for the production of solar cells, which prompts the ongoing search for alternative materials. One of them is cadmium selenium telluride (CdSeTe).

"Cadmium telluride-based solar cells are already manufactured and are quite popular in industrial applications in the US. Such solar cells are thinner and two to three times cheaper per watt of electricity generated. However, their performance is currently limited due to the inherent properties of this semiconductor, which result in manufacturing imperfections (defects) that reduce module efficiency. Until recently, the specific defects and their mechanisms remained poorly understood," explained Patrik Ščajev, talking about the practical application of this semiconductor.

In collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the US, the researchers conducted a study using a methodology advanced in Vilnius, which revealed exactly how these defects degrade solar cell performance.

"We hope this knowledge will help reduce the impact of such defects. This, in turn, will help significantly increase the efficiency of CdSeTe-based solar cells," said the researcher.

CdSeTe stands out as a stable semiconductor offering significant advantages compared to other semiconductors currently under investigation. In addition to the fact that CdSeTe-based solar cells can generate electricity more efficiently, they are also easier to recycle at the end of their lifecycle, thereby making them a more sustainable option.