The PEARL project has achieved 21.6% efficiency for flexible perovskite solar cells within 18 months of its launch
The project advanced roll-to-roll production, producing flexible minimodules and protective encapsulation for enhanced durability
In its next phase, it plans to refine pilot processes, test larger outdoor modules, and publish life cycle studies
PEARL, a European Union (EU)-funded project, has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 21.6% for its flexible perovskite solar cells which feature carbon electrodes. The milestone, says the research team, is the result of work carried out within 18 months of the project’s inception.
Launched under Horizon Europe for a 3-year period on October 1, 2023, PEARL seeks to develop flexible perovskite solar cells using scalable and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods. Its targets include achieving over 25% efficiency, long-term stability beyond IEC standards, production costs under €0.30/Wp, and carbon emissions below 0.01 kg CO2eq/kWh.
Providing an update on the progress achieved in its initial 18 months, the project achieved 21.6% efficiency through work led by Spain’s ICIQ, which used molecular surface passivation with fullerene and silane self-assembled materials. Italy’s University of Rome Tor Vergata reached 17.03% efficiency with green perovskite solvents and optimized blade-coating protocols. Finland’s VTT demonstrated a lab-scale champion cell efficiency of 14.8% using gravure printing of perovskite with DMSO-based ink. Dutch institute TNO recorded 9.1% efficiency with a fully roll-to-roll slot-die coated perovskite stack.
Both VTT and TNO have advanced roll-to-roll coating and patterning to larger formats, producing flexible mini-modules measuring 36 cm² with a 4.5% power conversion efficiency. The consortium has also developed protective encapsulation enabling stability for over 2,000 hours under damp-heat conditions of 85°C and 85% humidity, supporting the technology’s durability for real-world applications.
“These achievements bring us firmly within reach of our 25 % target—paving the way to low-cost, high-performance solar modules for applications from building-integrated photovoltaics to the Internet of Things,” said PERAL Project Coordinator at VTT, Dr. Rikka Suhonen.
Under Phase II of the project, which will encompass the next 18 months, PEARL will further improve its pilot production process, test larger solar modules outdoors, and share lifecycle studies. The aim is to prepare flexible solar cells for use in buildings and IoT.
“Deliverables will include an optimized module design report, R2R encapsulation processes, and pilot-scale production protocols that collectively establish Europe’s leadership in flexible perovskite PV manufacturing,” stated the team.
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