Researchers from Linköping University in Sweden have developed a revolutionary method for recycling next-generation solar cells, enabling their reuse without harmful chemicals. This innovation, published in the journal Nature, could solve the problem of electronic waste and advance the sustainable energy transition.
Unlike traditional silicon panels, which end up in landfills after their lifespan expires, the new perovskite solar cells can be fully recycled using only ordinary water as a solvent. Even more impressively, recycled cells retain the same efficiency as the original ones – converting up to 25 percent of solar energy into electricity.
What Are Perovskite Solar Cells and Why Are They Superior?
Perovskite solar cells are a type of photovoltaic cell made from perovskite materials, which have a unique crystal structure suitable for high-efficiency solar energy conversion. These cells are lightweight, flexible, and transparent, meaning they can be used on various surfaces – from traditional solar panels to windows and even textiles.
Unlike silicon solar cells, which require high temperatures and complex manufacturing processes, perovskite cells can be produced more cheaply and with lower energy consumption. Additionally, they have the potential to be more efficient in low-light conditions, making them ideal for various climates.
„We must consider recycling when developing new technologies. If we don’t know how to reuse them, perhaps we shouldn’t bring them to market at all”, emphasized Professor Feng Gao from Linköping University.
More:
- How Did Pakistan Experience a „Solar Boom”?
- A New Guide Reveals the Benefits of Agrisolar for Farmers
- EU Imported Solar Panels Worth 19.7 Billion Euros in 2023
Revolutionary Recycling Method – Without Harmful Chemicals
Current methods for recycling perovskite cells use toxic solvents such as dimethylformamide, which are harmful to the environment and human health. However, researchers from Linköping have developed an innovative approach that uses water as the only solvent.
Their method allows careful decomposition of solar cells in water, enabling all key materials – glass layers, electrodes, perovskite layers, and charge transport layers – to be reused in new cells without any loss of performance. This process not only reduces waste but also significantly lowers the environmental footprint of solar panel production.
This discovery comes at a critical time, as a sharp increase in electricity consumption is expected with the development of artificial intelligence and the electrification of transportation. Experts believe this technology will play a key role in securing clean energy in the future, provided industrial processes adapt to mass production.
