HEPAFLEX · High-Efficiency Perovskites on Flexible Substrates for Sustainable Applications

Achieving an efficient and sustainable photovoltaic (PV) system is a must to power the increasing energetic demands in multiple areas and contexts, in a non-detrimental way to the environment and society. Halide perovskites (HaP) have revolutionized the field due to their high photoconversion performance at the laboratory scale. Consequently, the commercialization of HaP solar cells (PSCs) is now a high-priority topic involving many research groups and companies worldwide. However, mass production methods to fabricate highly efficient, stable PSCs in a safe and sustainable manner present scientific and technological challenges, and fabrication methods at the lab scale cannot be upscaled.To face this situation HEPAFLEX proposes to develop high-performance flexible PSCs, adaptable to multiple contexts, by redesigning the processing approach. The project will address large-area efficiency by combining rapid photonic annealing and large-area thin-film fabrication methods with green chemistry routes. This high thruput approach based on versatile cost-effective flexible substrates presents an opportunity to reduce the environmental and economic impact of the cells, ensuring the versatility of use in multiple applications, allowing for the HEPAFLEX flexible substitution strategy that will extend the effective lifetime of rigid high power supply modules >25 years reducing current photovoltaics’ cost and carbon footprint. The development of the same unique process will also enable pure flexible non-utility scale applications that maintain the highest efficiencies. These currently unfeasible applications will reduce competition between different kinds of land use. The project will ensure the safety of the technology with Pb-sequestration additive active sealants, integrated with recycling methods to reuse the materials. HEPAFLEX will establish a sustainable PV technology based on manufacturing circularity, flexibility, versatility, replacement and recycling.