Japan is making a breakthrough in the field of solar energy, abandoning traditional solar panels in favor of innovative perovskite batteries. Canon has introduced a new material that can provide up to 30 years of uninterrupted energy supply, Ecoticias reports.
Perovskite solar panels are a relatively new class of photovoltaic cells that have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of energy production. The main component of such panels is a thin layer of hybrid material – methylammonium lead iodide. They have already become a serious competitor to silicon photovoltaic cells, thanks to their low cost and high efficiency.
However, one of the main disadvantages of perovskite panels was their limited longevity, which was reduced by exposure to moisture and heat. This problem has largely held back the widespread adoption of the technology in the market.
Revolutionary solution from Canon
Canon has developed a protective coating that can double the life of perovskite panels. It is a semiconductor material whose thickness is from 100 to 200 nanometers. It provides reliable protection of the sensitive perovskite layer from the negative impact of external factors, such as moisture and heat, which allows you to significantly extend the service life of the panels – up to 20-30 years.
The new material from Canon not only increases the durability of the panels, but also helps to reduce the costs of their maintenance. At the same time, the efficiency of the photocells does not decrease, and the use of a protective coating increases the safety during their operation.
Already this year, Canon plans to provide samples of its protective material to factories that produce perovskite panels. Mass production is planned to begin in 2025. Perovskite solar cell capacity is expected to reach 38.3 GW by 2024, and could exceed 84.2 GW by 2050, far exceeding the current capacity of traditional solar panels.