Are perovskite solar cells sustainable?

Perovskite solar cells may bring an enormous advance in our way toward net zero carbon. However, to achieve their full sustainability potential, we must address the risks to soil, ecology, and human health associated with the use of toxic lead in perovskite technology.

Do perovskite solar cells have a life cycle assessment?

Over the last years, many authors have presented analysis on the life cycle assessment of perovskite solar cells with consideration of a particular structure/design where a fixed set of materials and processes are selected to fabricate the solar cell.

Can perovskite solar modules reduce environmental impacts?

Moreover, the range for impacts also presents an opportunity to optimize perovskite solar modules keeping LCA indicators as one of the objective functions in order to exploit their potential of having significantly lower environmental impacts.

Can recycled perovskite photovoltaic modules improve energy and environmental sustainability?

Effective recycling of worn-out perovskite photovoltaic modules could improve their energy and environmental sustainability. The authors perform holistic life cycle assessments of selected solar cell architectures and provide guidelines for their future design.

Should perovskite solar power stations be built on unproductive land?

Therefore, whenever possible, it may be prudent to build perovskite PV power stations on unproductive, degraded land— e.g., desert areas. Designing perovskite solar cells to robustly encapsulate the lead content and reduce their lead leaching potential would be one obvious way to lessen the environmental risk.

Are perovskite solar cells toxic?

Figure 1. Contaminant pathway for lead leached from broken perovskites on residential buildings Perovskite solar cells can be damaged by natural events such as hailstorms and freeze-thaw seasonal cycles. Toxic lead can leach from damaged perovskites, and concerns have arisen regarding environmental contamination and human health concerns.