Discovery - Future of Solar Energy

Roland Pease looks into perovskites - the materials enthusiasts say could transform solar power.
Solar power is the fastest growing form of renewable energy. But most of it collected by panels made of silicon - the material that also goes into computer chips. But silicon is an old technology, and researchers have long sought a material that is both better at capturing sunlight. And cheaper to make.

Perovskites, which first emerged into the lab just a few years ago, promise to be just that material. Roland Pease meets the experts who have made this happen, and finds out what makes perovskites so good - and what wrinkles still have to be ironed out.

Image credit: 1999 EyeWire, Inc

Published on Monday, 11th May 2015.

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