VATIS UPDATE Article

Toshiba, Japan, has fabricated a perovskite solar cell mini-module with an energy conversion rate of 10.5%, which it claims is now the highest rate that has been reached throughout the world with a multi-cell mini-module. It reached a conversion rate of 10.5% for its 5x5cm film-based perovskite solar cell mini-modules by utilizing a new printing process.

Its advancements will also drive cost reductions for flexible solar panels, particularly for use in building-integrated PV (BIPV) applications. It achieved its results under a research program supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Toshiba vowed to push forward with its R&D efforts to achieve efficiency rates that surpass those of crystalline silicon PV cells.

It aims to eventually match baseload power generation costs in Japan by generating electricity for JPY 7 ($0.06)/kWh. Toshiba has managed to expand the size of its cells and ramp up energy conversion rates by creating the 5x5cm cells. Its fabrication process for film-based perovskite solar cells involves using a film substrate and scribe method drawn from the production of organic thin-film solar cell modules.