Perovskite Solar Cell
An emerging photovoltaic technology using perovskite-structured compounds (typically methylammonium lead halides) as the light-absorbing layer. Lab efficiencies exceed 26%.
Why It Matters
Perovskite-silicon tandem cells have achieved 34%+ efficiency — far beyond silicon alone. If durability challenges are solved, they could significantly increase solar panel output within 3-5 years.
Related Terms
Monocrystalline Silicon
Solar cells made from a single continuous crystal of silicon. They offer the highest efficiency (20-24%) among mainstream technologies and are identified by their uniform dark appearance.
Module Efficiency
The percentage of sunlight that a solar panel converts into electricity. Modern panels range from 15-22% efficient.
Tandem Solar Cell
A multi-junction solar cell that stacks two or more absorber layers to capture different parts of the solar spectrum. Perovskite-silicon tandems are the most promising near-term technology.