Perovskite cells’ reverse bias potential threatens technology’s commercial viability, say researchers

July 29, 2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The researchers said reverse bias could be caused by shading or debris or detritus on the module surface. Image: UNSW Sydney

Perovskite solar cells are susceptible to severe reverse bias challenges beyond those of traditional silicon cells, which may represent further impediments to the technology’s commercialisation, according to new research. 

A recent paper in the journal Joule by researchers Dongchen Lan and Martin Green from UNSW Sydney found that perovskite cells in the module that become shaded can be driven into reverse-bias operation by cells with higher current output.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

This, they said, demonstrated how perovskite cells “can face additional challenges beyond those of silicon cells”, which could hamper their potential commercialisation.

Reverse bias is where the electrons generated in the solar cell flow in the wrong direction, from the anode to the cathode, resulting in a significantly reduced current and output.

The scientists pointed to a lack of research on the subject of reverse bias challenges facing perovskite solar cells. “Improved understanding and resolution of these reverse-bias effect are necessary for perovskites to become a commercial reality,” they said.

Experience shows that the most demanding durability issues for fielded modules arise when cells become reverse biased, said Lan and Green.

Following their findings, the researchers proposed a number of strategies to mitigate the reverse bias they discovered. These include “subdividing a long-thin cell module into series/parallel connection of smaller cells”, which thin film manufacturer First Solar has already done for its modules after it was shown they were susceptible to transient shadows, the researchers said.

Additionally, another strategy involves providing bypass protection across each perovskite cell, rather than bypass diode for every 20 – 24 cells as is the case with most silicon modules, which Lan and Green said would be possible at lower cost.

It has been a busy year for perovskite research. In the last two months alone researchers have said perovskite-on-silicon PV modules are more environmentally advantageous than conventional silicon heterojunction (HJT) modules over a 25-year lifetime, while others have claimed two world records by achieving an efficiency of over 30% for perovskite-on-silicon-tandem solar cells.

And in June the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) revealed that a tin-lead perovskite cell can overcome problems with stability and improve efficiency, with their latest experiment yielding a 25.5% conversion efficiency.

Read Next

October 31, 2025
Acen Australia has committed to recycling around one million solar modules from its 400MW Stubbo solar PV power plant in New South Wales.
October 28, 2025
Navigating module procurement in this financial environment will be a key topic of conversation at the PV ModuleTech Europe 2025 event.
October 27, 2025
US solar technology company Swift Solar has deployed perovskite solar technology as part of a Department of Defence cyber warfare exercise in the state of Virginia.
Premium
October 14, 2025
Perovskite, tariffs, Section 232 and FEOC were among the key topics discussed at PV CellTech USA this year in San Francisco.
October 8, 2025
University of Sydney scientists have created the largest and most efficient triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon solar cell on record.
October 2, 2025
PV products using perovskite technology could assume a dominant position within the next ten years, according to module producer Qcells' CTO.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany