Pushing Past Silicon

Silicon panels work well but are expensive to manufacture. Perovskite solar cells could change that. These crystals can be printed onto flexible surfaces like ink on paper, potentially slashing costs and putting solar on windows, car roofs, and even clothing.

Researchers are also stacking layers to beat silicon's single-cell ceiling. Multi-junction cells capture different wavelengths in separate layers, and laboratory prototypes already top 47% efficiency under concentrated sunlight.