Cost‐Performance Analysis of Perovskite Solar Modules

• Published in: Advanced science Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 1600269 - n/a
• Main Authors: Cai, Molang, Wu, Yongzhen, Chen, Han, Yang, Xudong, Qiang, Yinghuai, Han, Liyuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.01.2017; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: cost analysis; Cost estimates; Efficiency; Electricity; Fossil fuels; Manufacturing; Overhead costs; perovskite solar cells; perspective; Photovoltaic cells; Screen printing; Sensitivity analysis; United States > US; Europe; cost analysis; perspective; perovskite solar cells
• ISSN: 2198-3844; 2198-3844
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.201600269

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising candidates for the next generation of solar cells because they are easy to fabricate and have high power conversion efficiencies. However, there has been no detailed analysis of the cost of PSC modules. We selected two representative examples of PSCs and performed a cost analysis of their productions: one was a moderate‐efficiency module produced from cheap materials, and the other was a high‐efficiency module produced from expensive materials. The costs of both modules were found to be lower than those of other photovoltaic technologies. We used the calculated module costs to estimate the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of PSCs. The LCOE was calculated to be 3.5–4.9 US cents/kWh with an efficiency and lifetime of greater than 12% and 15 years respectively, below the cost of traditional energy sources. Modules of two representative types of perovskite solar cells, mesoporous structure and planar structure, are designed for cost assessment consists of materials, manufacturing technique and investment. A detailed cost analysis of module efficiency and lifetime highlights the strategy and importance of cost‐performance for the future development of perovskite solar cells.