Chem Review by Rui Wang of Westlake University and Jingjing Xue of Zhejiang University: Challenges and Opportunities Coexist—Where Will Perovskite Modules Go From Here?

Perovskite photovoltaic technology is rapidly advancing toward commercialization; however, numerous challenges remain in the manufacturing process of scaling up from small-scale perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to large-scale perovskite solar modules (PSMs).

Based on this, Xue Jingjing of Zhejiang University, Wang Rui of Westlake University, and their colleagues conducted a comprehensive review that focuses on three critical manufacturing stages in the transition from perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to perovskite solar modules (PSMs): precursor solution preparation, large-scale perovskite deposition, and post-fabrication module processing. In addition to long-term stability concerns, the article highlights several key factors that are often overlooked in PSM fabrication: reproducibility, cost, quality control, and sustainability. Finally, the paper raises three contentious questions: what type of PSM will ultimately be commercialized, how to strike a balance between device area and lateral resistance, and how to ensure a stable supply of raw materials. This paper was recently published in the journal Chem under the title “Challenges and perspectives for the perovskite module research.”

Perovskite solar cell technology (PSCs) faces both significant opportunities and substantial challenges. Although commercialization appears imminent, stability remains a critical research priority. It is currently unclear whether the first commercially viable PSC architecture will be single-junction, tandem, or flexible devices. Nevertheless, tandem photovoltaics hold promise for surpassing the Shockley–Queisser limit and achieving more efficient solar energy utilization. In addition, inverted PSCs have garnered attention due to their enhanced stability and performance in tandem configurations; however, the long-term stability of commonly used molecular hole-transport materials (MBHMs) continues to pose challenges. In large-scale PSC manufacturing, the adoption of blade-coating and slot-die coating techniques has introduced new issues, including performance degradation, stability concerns, and increased lateral resistance. Scaling up module dimensions may compromise thin-film quality and elevate lateral resistance, underscoring the paramount importance of optimizing film quality. Concurrently, refining interdigitated electrode patterns and electrode designs to maximize active area and charge-collection efficiency while minimizing transport pathways is also beneficial. For instance, incorporating P4 interdigitated structures can reduce series resistance and improve fill factor, particularly in large-format modules. Such optimizations further enhance thermal stability by promoting heat dissipation, thereby mitigating overheating and degradation. Moreover, reliance on scarce materials—such as SnO₂ nanoparticles widely used in n-i-p PSCs—poses a significant risk: supply disruptions could severely impact PSC production. The fabrication of PSCs is also heavily dependent on rare elements like gold, silver, indium, and fluorine, which further compounds uncertainties regarding supply-chain stability. Inter-batch variability in materials such as polymer hole-transport layers further complicates commercialization, highlighting the urgent need for stable raw-material supplies to enable scalable and reliable PSC manufacturing.