Scientists have improved solar cell performance by replacing a key component with salt, according to new research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The team replaced the standard fullerene (C60) layer with an ionic salt called CPMAC in perovskite solar cells. This change pushed efficiency to 26.1%, slightly better than the 25.5% achieved with traditional materials. What impressed researchers most was the dramatic improvement in durability. The salt-modified cells showed only about 2% degradation after running for 2,100 hours at 65°C. In comparison, conventional cells degraded more quickly under similar conditions. “That’s really the surprise, but it’s a very … Continue reading Perovskite Solar Cell Hits 26.1% With Salt Layer and Just 2% Loss After 2,100 Hours at 65°C