The new report from IDTechEx, ‘Perovskite Photovoltaic Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Players & Trends’, focuses on the emerging market for perovskite photovoltaics. A critical analysis of the most important application areas helps to forecast the overall solar market over the next ten years. The analysts predict that annual perovskite installations could reach almost 85 gigawatts of installed capacity by 2035.
Market launch of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells expected in the near future
Perovskite solar cells contain an active perovskite layer that can be deposited as a thin film in solution-based layer-by-layer or roll-to-roll compatible processes, making them very attractive from a financial point of view because the processing is easily scalable and automated. However, it is also clear to experts in the industry that a great deal of research is still needed. This is because perovskites are not yet durable enough to be used in a wide range of large-scale applications. Perovskites are known to degrade significantly when exposed to moisture, air and UV light. To avoid this, high-quality encapsulation of the perovskite solar cell is essential.
Tandem solar cells made of perovskites and silicon
Perovskite solar cells are therefore increasingly seen as a cost-effective complement to conventional silicon solar cells. According to analyst Maia Benstead of IDTechEx, tandem solar cells made of perovskite and silicon will account for the largest share of the total perovskite market. ‘In particular, significant growth is expected in the early years,’ says Benstead.
IDTecxhEx
According to the report, sales of perovskite technology alone will reach almost 12 billion US dollars by 2035. Among the notable players currently developing perovskite modules are the Polish company Saule Technologies, several Chinese companies including Microquanta and Renshine Solar, and the Japanese companies Sekisui Chemical and Panasonic.
In an effort to further improve the efficiency of conventional Si-based solar cells, researchers are exploring the integration of perovskite solar cells with silicon solar cells in a tandem architecture.
These multi-junction solar cells have a much higher theoretical efficiency of around 43 per cent. In summer 2024, a record efficiency of 34.6 per cent was achieved in Longi's laboratory. Oxford PV has even started mass production of tandem modules in Brandenburg.
Thin-film perovskites are interesting for wireless electronics
The market for wireless electronics, the Internet of Things (IoT), is therefore developing into an important application area for thin-film perovskites. The number of IoT devices will increase rapidly over the next ten years. Interest is growing in the wireless indoor power generation to supply these devices, such as smoke detectors, motion sensors and small electronic displays.
Perovskite: the next major solar technology?
Powering these devices with small, low-cost solar panels that last longer than batteries is a promising application. Several companies are already developing perovskite PV for small electronic devices, including Saule Technologies and Perovskia, which are currently seeking to expand their production capacity. (nhp/hcn)
