The Market for Renewables may be Permanently Changed by Revolutionary Solar Panel Technology from Japan
For an extended period, China held sway over the solar panel market due to its control over the silicon supply chain. However, a significant shift may be underway as Japan introduces a solar panel technology that eschews silicon in favor of perovskite, a mineral-derived material. These new panels, boasting efficiency levels on par with traditional counterparts, signal a potential upheaval in the worldwide renewables sector.
A New Solar Panel System
Conventional solar panels, reliant on silicon, have long been subject to China’s dominant control in the market. In a bid to reduce dependence on China and diversify solar technology, countries have sought alternative approaches to harnessing solar energy. Now, Japanese engineers have pioneered a promising solution in the form of solar cells resembling camera film, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
These innovative cells utilize perovskite, a crystalline mineral structure adept at converting sunlight into electricity. The brainchild behind this breakthrough is Japanese scientist and Toin University of Yokohama professor, Tsutomu Miyasaka. Japan, being the world’s second-largest producer of iodine, a crucial element in manufacturing solar film, stands at the forefront of this emerging technology.
While research into perovskite for solar applications has been ongoing for the past decade, early iterations faced efficiency challenges compared to traditional silicon panels and were prone to degradation in humid conditions. “Silicon solar cells offer high efficiency and durability, but their production involves high costs,” remarked Xiwen Gong, assistant professor of chemical engineering at the University of Michigan, specializing in perovskite semiconductors. “To achieve high purity silicon, temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius are required. Otherwise, efficiency may be compromised.”
In the past, perovskite was integrated into tandem cells within silicon panels covered by glass to enhance efficiency. However, recent technological advancements have enabled the development of silicon-free perovskite cells that rival the efficiency of traditional silicon panels. While challenges with humidity persist, the potential for broader application of perovskite panels is significant.
Notably, these panels have a thin, lightweight, and flexible nature, a departure from the bulkier silicon counterparts. Miyasaka highlighted the versatility of perovskite cells, envisioning scenarios where individuals living in apartments without personal roofs could still utilize them on balconies, likening them to household appliances.
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Shifting The Scales
Renewable energy has evolved into what The Wall Street Journal describes as “a geopolitical football,” with nations endeavoring to diminish China’s stronghold in the solar energy domain. Presently, Chinese firms command over 80% of the global silicon solar panel supply chain, leading the International Energy Agency to forecast that the world will rely heavily on China for key solar panel production components until 2025.
Miyasaka, speaking to the Journal, criticized China’s tactics, citing export restrictions on vital semiconductor components essential for solar panel fabrication as a form of coercion. In contrast, he emphasized the domestic manufacturability of perovskite cells, highlighting their potential to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, which prompted Japan to shutter most of its nuclear plants, the nation has grappled with importing 90% of its energy needs. Japanese engineers are optimistic about their ability to maintain a competitive edge, citing the complexity of producing uniform super-thin perovskite layers. Miyasaka emphasized that the intricacy of this process could hinder Chinese attempts to replicate it, thus safeguarding Japan’s position in the renewable energy arena.
Source – https://theweek.com/environment
