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While perovskite solar cells have reached competitive efficiency values during the last decade, stability issues remain a critical challenge to be addressed for pushing this technology towards commercialisation. In this study, we analyse a large homogeneous dataset of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) operational ageing data that we collected with a custom-built High-throughput Ageing System in the past 3 years. In total, 2,245 MPPT ageing curves are analysed which were obtained under controlled conditions (continuous illumination, controlled temperature and atmosphere) from devices comprising various lead-halide perovskite absorbers, charge selective layers, contact layers, and architectures. In a high-level statistical analysis, we find a correlation between the maximum reached power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the relative PCE loss observed after 150-hours of ageing, with more efficient cells statistically also showing higher stability. Additionally, using the unsupervised machine learning method self-organising map, we cluster this dataset based on the degradation curve shapes. We find a correlation between the frequency of particular shapes of degradation curves and the maximum reached PCE. Stability issues remain a critical challenge for perovskite solar cells towards commercialisation. Here, the authors analyse a large homogeneous dataset of Maximum Power Point Tracking operational ageing data and find a correlation between maximum power conversion efficiency and its relative loss.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) represent one of the most promising emerging photovoltaic technologies due to their high power conversion efficiency. However, despite the huge progress made not only in terms of the efficiency achieved, but also fundamental understanding of the relevant physics of the devices and issues which affect their efficiency and stability, there are still unresolved problems and obstacles on the path toward commercialization of this promising technology. In this roadmap, we aim to provide a concise and up to date summary of outstanding issues and challenges, and the progress made toward addressing these issues. While the format of this article is not meant to be a comprehensive review of the topic, it provides a collection of the viewpoints of the experts in the field, which covers a broad range of topics related to PSC commercialization, including those relevant for manufacturing (scaling up, different types of devices), operation and stability (various factors), and environmental issues (in particular the use of lead). We hope that the article will provide a useful resource for researchers in the field and that it will facilitate discussions and move forward toward addressing the outstanding challenges in this fast-developing field.

In this work, we present new results on the plasma processing and structure of hydrogenated polymorphous silicon (pm-Si:H) thin films. pm-Si:H thin films consist of a low volume fraction of silicon nanocrystals embedded in a silicon matrix with medium range order, and they possess this morphology as a significant contribution to their growth comes from the impact on the substrate of silicon clusters and nanocrystals synthesized in the plasma. Quadrupole mass spectrometry, ion flux measurements, and material characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy all provide insight on the contribution to the growth by silicon nanocrystals during PECVD deposition. In particular, cross-section TEM measurements show for the first time that the silicon nanocrystals are uniformly distributed across the thickness of the pm-Si:H film. Moreover, parametric studies indicate that the best pm-Si:H material is obtained at the conditions after the transition between a pristine plasma and one containing nanocrystals, namely a total gas pressure around 2 Torr and a silane to hydrogen ratio between 0.05 to 0.1. From a practical point of view these conditions also correspond to the highest deposition rate achievable for a given RF power and silane flow rate.

Tandem solar cells can surpass the limitations of single‐junction devices, promising increased performance due to lower thermalization losses. Even though many research and industrial upscaling efforts are based on perovskite‐Si tandems, all‐thin‐film photovoltaic (PV) devices, for instance with chalcopyrite (CIGSe) and perovskite, can offer many advantages such as significant cost and material savings and access to niche markets like building integrated‐ and flexible PV. However, long‐term stability and outdoor performance of perovskite‐based tandem devices is to this day challenging. This work presents the first data analysis of year‐round outdoor measurements (mpp‐tracked) of a perovskite‐chalcopyrite tandem device with a starting efficiency of about 23.14% before encapsulation. The maximum outdoor performance of the tandem device changed during the period of observation, reaching the peak performance in April and then decreased due to the device degradation. At its maximum outdoor performance, the tandem could reach up to 68% higher instantaneous power output, relative to its single‐junction reference (CIGSe‐SJ). In addition, a quantitative time series performance analysis, exemplary qualitative imaging characterization of the tandem before and after outdoor exposure, is shown. Finally, the possibility of predicting the immediate performance of an all‐thin‐film tandem is verified by using a multiple linear regression model with accuracies generally exceeding 90%. This work presents the first data analysis of year‐round measurements under outdoor conditions of a perovskite‐CIGS tandem solar cell. In addition, the data acquired is used to verify the possibility of predicting the immediate performance of an all‐thin‐film tandem using a multiple linear regression model with accuracies generally exceeding 90%.

The operational stability of perovskite solar cells is often tested in the laboratory environment but its correlation to real-world operation is still unclear. New research shows that the outdoor ageing behaviour of the devices can be modelled with temperature-dependent degradation rates from laboratory stability tests that apply both heat and light stressors.

Visible luminescence is observed from the composite of SiO2 with embedded silicon nanocrystallites produced by femtosecond laser irradiation of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) film in air. The photoluminescence originates from the defect states at the interface between silicon crystallites and SiO2 matrix. The method could be used for fabrication of luminescent layers to increase energy conversion of a-Si:H solar cells.