Launch Of EPKI: European Perovskite Initiative For The Development Of Perovskite Based Solar Technology

Perovskite based solar cells have made tremendous progress over the last decade achieving lab-scale efficiencies of 24.2% early 2019 in single-junction architecture and up to 28% in tandem (perovskite associated with crystalline silicon), turning it into the fastest-advancing solar technology to date. With the HySPRINT project and the recruitment of highly talented young scientists, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin has built up a considerable research capacity in the field of perovskite materials in recent years and is participating in the European Perovskite Initiative EPKI that has now been launched.

Prof. Dr. Rutger Schlatmann, Spokesman for Renewable Energies at the HZB, says: "Several research teams at the HZB are now working both on basic issues and on preparing for the industrialization of tandem modules with perovskites. We are very happy to contribute our knowledge to this European initiative."

Perovskite technology will help further reducing costs and resource demands of solar electricity production, hence providing new capacity to tackle climate change and will offer the opportunity for the creation of jobs in Europe in the fast growing PV industry.

In the context where decarbonizing the energy-mix is becoming a priority challenge for European countries, European universities, research institutes and industries involved in the development of perovskite technologies have agreed to the creation of a collaborative platform: the EPKI. This initiative is dedicated to gathering all significant parties working in this field and is pursuing the following objectives:

• Raise the awareness on perovskite based photovoltaics by conveying a common vision through the editing of a common European perovskite whitepaper,
• Support and initiate next generation PV industrial initiatives,
• Facilitate joint-research programs and synergies among universities, institutes and companies.

This European initiative is being animated by Ronn Andriessen, director at Solliance and consultant Louis Huber from Greensquare. “During last months’ discussions with current EPKI participants, it became clear we all share the same vision and that joining forces would be beneficial to all”, explain Ronn Andriessen and Louis Huber. “This new perovskite based PV technology has a very high potential and a massive roll-out of it would fit very well within the Europe SET plan as well as in the global urgency to massively install sustainable and affordable energy generators everywhere needed”.