Perovskites – are we facing a revolution in photovoltaics?
Perovskites
The continuous growth in interest in photovoltaics and the increasing demand for energy are prompting manufacturers to develop technologies and seek new solutions. Among those mentioned as alternatives to silicon are perovskite cells. What are they, what are their applications, and do they really represent the revolution that RES technologies need?
Photovoltaics on the rise
Among renewable energy sources, photovoltaic installations are developing the fastest. According to data from the Energy Market Agency for August 2025, photovoltaics already accounts for nearly two-thirds of the total capacity installed in domestic renewable energy systems[1]. The growing market is becoming a natural environment for innovation – manufacturers are looking for technologies that will ensure higher energy efficiency, greater cell efficiency and better performance in sub-optimal conditions. One of these is perovskites, which are increasingly being referred to as a potentially revolutionary material.
What are perovskites?
Perovskites are minerals with a characteristic crystalline structure, first discovered in the Ural Mountains and named after the mineralogist Lev Perovskiy. Although the natural form of perovskite has limited industrial significance, the real breakthrough came with the development of so-called hybrid structures – synthetic perovskites that can be produced in laboratory conditions.
In recent years, research into them has accelerated rapidly. Among other things, the work of Dr Olga Malinkiewicz, who in 2024 became the first Polish woman to receive the European Inventor Award for developing cheap, efficient and environmentally friendly perovskite solar cells[2], has had a major impact. Her key achievement was the creation of a low-temperature production method, which significantly reduces costs and broadens the application possibilities of perovskites.
The use of perovskites in photovoltaics
Silicon has been the primary material used in photovoltaic panels for decades. Although it is proven and stable, it has its limitations, especially when operating in low sunlight or partial shade. Perovskites can solve many of these problems because:
- enable energy production even in low light conditions
- are more tolerant to varying angles of light incidence
- are more flexible and lighter, which facilitates new forms of installation
- allow for the creation of thin, light and flexible photovoltaic surfaces
Research indicates that the efficiency of some perovskite cells matches the best silicon cells, and laboratories regularly report new efficiency records.
Advantages and disadvantages of perovskites
The list of advantages of perovskites is long: high efficiency, low production cost, flexibility of application, the possibility of printing cells, and high light absorption. All this makes this technology seems like a natural step in the development of photovoltaics.
However, perovskites are not without their limitations. The key challenges are:
- durability – perovskites can degrade when exposed to moisture, oxygen and high temperatures
- chemical stability
- the presence of lead in the structure of some types of cells, which raises questions about their environmental impact and the need for safe disposal
Many international research teams are working on replacing lead with other elements and increasing the material’s resistance. Concepts for protective coatings and hybrid cell architectures are also emerging.
Looking ahead to renewable energy sources
Despite certain drawbacks, the future of perovskites in photovoltaics looks rather bright. Ongoing research into these cells around the world brings hope that, over time, hybrid energy systems using perovskites will be developed, and perhaps within a few years we will see technology that allows this material to be widely used throughout the sector. Who knows, perhaps ongoing research will lead to discoveries that will enable the use of perovskites in installations such as substations or photovoltaic energy storage facilities? Experts agree that this is a material with enormous potential.
Within a few years, perovskite technology may find application not only in classic photovoltaic modules, but also in:
- lightweight, flexible panels on building façades
- BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) structures
- energy infrastructure components
- energy storage facilities and new hybrid systems
It is precisely this ability to integrate with various surfaces and devices that makes perovskites known as the ‘material of the future’.
FAQ
This will not happen in the near future, but it is possible in a few to several years. Intensive work is currently underway to improve the durability of perovskites and reduce degradation. The most likely scenario is the development of tandem panels combining silicon and perovskites to achieve higher efficiency.
The concerns stem mainly from the presence of lead in some perovskite structures. Research is currently underway to replace it with other elements and to develop sealed protective coatings that prevent the metal from being released into the environment.
The most important benefits are high efficiency, energy production in low light conditions, low weight, flexibility and the possibility of low-cost production at low temperatures. These features open the way to applications that classic silicon panels do not support.
The main barrier is durability, particularly susceptibility to degradation under the influence of moisture, oxygen and elevated temperatures. Manufacturers and research institutes are working to improve stability, which is a prerequisite for large-scale commercialisation.
In addition to conventional panels, perovskites can be used in:
- building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels
- lightweight and flexible modules mounted on façades, vehicles or mobile devices
- hybrid energy systems
- energy infrastructure components and energy storage facilities
Their flexibility means that the list of potential applications will grow as the technology develops.
[1]https://www.pap.pl/mediaroom/rynek-fotowoltaiki-w-polsce-2025-podsumowanie-i-wnioski-z-raportu