Solar Cells Manufactured Using Concentrated Solar Energy Toward Carbon Neutralization

Abstract

The high photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of solar cells and their environmentally friendly, low-carbon manufacturing processes are crucial for advancing carbon neutrality goals. This study introduces Fresnel lenses to focus sunlight for the sintering of mesoporous titanium dioxide (m-TiO₂) layers as an innovative method for fabricating perovskite solar cells (PSCs), effectively circumventing the energy-intensive and carbon-emitting high-temperature furnace sintering traditionally required. Through this concentrated solar annealing technique, an efficient and eco-friendly sintering of the m-TiO₂ layer is successfully achieved by removing organic residues from the precursor film and enhancing the film's transmittance, electrical conductivity, and grain size. Consequently, this has led to improved coverage of the perovskite layer and enhanced overall photovoltaic performance of the solar cells. Experimental results indicate that the m-TiO₂ film subjected to 60 min of concentrated sunlight sintering (CSS) demonstrates optimal photovoltaic performance, with the fabricated compact-layer-free PSCs achieving an impressive photoelectric conversion efficiency of up to 17.69%. This research not only offers a novel, cost-effective approach for the sustainable production of PSCs but also contributes tangible solutions for the green transformation of the photovoltaic industry and the achievement of carbon neutrality. This work points the way toward using solar energy to prepare solar power generation devices.