With the growing global demand for clean energy sources, improving the efficiency of solar cells remains one of the key scientific and technological challenges of our time. In this context, perovskite materials have emerged over the past decade as a strong alternative to conventional options such as silicon.

A recent perspective article published in Green Carbon reviews the latest developments in this area and identifies the major challenges that lie ahead. ICN2 PhD Student Zhenchuan Tian and CSIC Prof. Monica Lira-Cantú, leader of the ICN2 Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy Group, are among the authors, highlighting the institute’s role in advancing sustainable energy solutions. This international article also involved researchers from Zhengzhou University and the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (CAS), both in China.

One of the key highlights discussed in the article is that All-perovskite tandem solar cells have now reached the 30% efficiency milestone. In “tandem” solar cells, several sub-cells are combined within a monolithic structure, allowing a broader portion of the solar spectrum to be harnessed. Achieving 30% efficiency means that nearly a third of the incoming solar energy can be converted into usable electricity. This represents a record for perovskite-based photovoltaic devices and brings their performance in line with some of the most advanced photovoltaic technologies available today.

This progress is driven by advances at the nanoscale, particularly in controlling the internal interfaces of the device, where energy losses usually happen. Researchers have developed an innovative strategy involving the introduction of dipolar molecules that act as smart linkers between layers. These molecules reduce defects and facilitate charge transport, thereby minimising loss mechanisms that would otherwise limit performance.

Such advances reinforce the potential of perovskites as a high-performance, low-cost photovoltaic technology, bringing them closer to large-scale deployment and strengthening their role in the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

This work represents the current collaboration between these laboratories.  Tandem solar cells are now being developed in the Nanostructured Materials for Photovoltaic Energy Group at ICN2, with power conversion efficiency values already certified.

Reference article:
Cai, Z.; Liu, T.; Tian, Z.; Lira-Cantú, M.; Guo, Q.; Wang, Z. All-perovskite tandem solar cells with certified efficiency exceeding 30%. Green Carbon (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.greenca.2026.01.002