What is perovskite
Perovskite, in solar terminology, refers to a family of hybrid organic-inorganic materials sharing the perovskite crystal structure (ABX3, where A is an organic cation, B is a metal cation typically lead or tin, and X is a halide anion). These materials exhibit excellent photovoltaic properties: high light absorption, long charge carrier lifetimes and tunable bandgap.
Perovskite solar cells have shown dramatic efficiency improvement, from 3.8 percent in 2009 to over 26 percent in 2024 for single-junction lab cells. Perovskite-silicon tandem cells have exceeded 33 percent lab efficiency, suggesting the technology can break through silicon’s efficiency ceiling.
For Indian solar, perovskite is still pre-commercial. Tandem perovskite-silicon modules from Oxford PV and select Chinese manufacturers are entering early commercial production globally. Indian solar industry is monitoring perovskite developments, with R&D growing at IITs and CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute. PLI Tranche II and III may include perovskite-specific allocations.
Why perovskite matters
Higher efficiency. Tandem cells exceed 30 percent, breaking silicon’s ceiling.
Lower manufacturing cost potential. Room-temperature solution processing.
Flexible substrates. Enables BIPV and unconventional applications.
Tunable bandgap. Ideal for tandem cells combining with silicon.
Lower energy payback. Faster carbon return on manufacturing energy.
Perovskite cell architecture
| Layer | Material |
|---|---|
| Front contact (transparent) | FTO or ITO |
| Electron transport layer | TiO2 or SnO2 |
| Perovskite absorber | (FA,MA)PbI3 or related |
| Hole transport layer | Spiro-OMeTAD or PTAA |
| Rear contact | Gold or silver |
Tandem cells stack a perovskite top cell on a monocrystalline silicon bottom cell, typically a TOPCon or HJT architecture chosen for its high bottom-cell efficiency and low module degradation rate.
Technical deep dive
Efficiency progression
Lab efficiencies below are measured under STC test conditions, the same reference used for silicon module efficiency ratings.
| Year | Single-junction perovskite | Tandem perovskite-silicon |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3.8% | n/a |
| 2014 | 17.9% | 22.0% |
| 2018 | 23.7% | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 25.7% | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 26.7% | 33.9% |
- Single-junction perovskite
- Perovskite-silicon tandem
| Item | Single-junction perovskite | Perovskite-silicon tandem |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 17.9% | 22% |
| 2018 | 23.7% | 28% |
| 2022 | 25.7% | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 26.7% | 33.9% |
Commercial products lag lab by 3-5 percentage points.
Challenges
| Challenge | Status |
|---|---|
| Long-term stability | Improving; 25-year warranties achievable |
| UV stability | Inorganic perovskites better |
| Moisture stability | Encapsulation critical |
| Thermal stability | Advanced compositions handle 85°C |
| Lead content | Some formulations; lead-free alternatives in development |
| Manufacturing scale | Pilot to early commercial |
| Standards adaptation | IEC adapting test protocols |
Advanced encapsulant formulations and moisture-blocking back sheet materials are the main lines of defence against perovskite’s moisture and UV sensitivity.
Cell architectures
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Single-junction perovskite | Stand-alone perovskite cell |
| 2-terminal tandem | Perovskite and silicon stacked, single circuit |
| 4-terminal tandem | Independent perovskite and silicon, separate electrical paths |
| Triple-junction | Perovskite + perovskite + silicon |
Major players
| Company | Focus |
|---|---|
| Oxford PV | Perovskite-silicon tandem commercial |
| Microquanta | Single-junction perovskite |
| Saule Technologies | Flexible perovskite, BIPV |
| GCL Perovskite | Chinese mass production planned |
| Hanwha QCells | R&D on tandem |
| Trina Solar, LONGi, JinkoSolar | Tandem research |
Real-world applications
Premium tandem solar modules (entering market 2026+), following the same wattage and efficiency escalation already visible in the 700W+ n-type silicon TOPCon panels shown at Indian trade shows (see REI Expo 2026 preview: what to look for).
BIPV with semi-transparent perovskite.
EV solar with flexible substrates.
Space and aerospace.
Research and demonstration.
Advantages
Higher efficiency potential than silicon alone.
Tandem architecture combines best of both.
Lower manufacturing energy.
Flexible substrate compatibility.
Tunable bandgap for spectrum optimisation.
Limitations
Long-term stability in field conditions.
Encapsulation requirements stricter.
Lead content concerns.
Pre-commercial scale.
Standards still developing.
Indian market context
Pre-commercial in India.
R&D at IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, CSIR-CEERI, NPL.
PLI Tranche II and III may include perovskite, building on the roughly 40-50 GW/year module manufacturing base India has already built under the PLI scheme (see India Solar Statistics 2026, Complete Data Reference).
Initial commercial adoption likely 2026-2028.
ALMM listing requires standards updates.
Standards and certifications
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| IEC 61215 (adapted) | Module qualification |
| IEC 61730 (adapted) | Module safety |
| IEC TS 63342 | Emerging perovskite test protocols |
| ISOS protocols | Stability testing |
Key takeaways
Perovskite is the most promising next-generation solar technology, with tandem perovskite-silicon cells exceeding 33 percent lab efficiency. Commercial production is starting through Oxford PV and select Chinese manufacturers. Long-term stability is the main challenge being solved. Indian deployment likely starts 2026-2028 with imported tandem modules. PLI Tranche II and III expected to include perovskite manufacturing incentives.
Watching perovskite developments?
Perovskite and tandem cells are module technologies. Qbits makes on-grid and hybrid inverters, not solar modules, so whichever cell technology a site uses, the inverter is matched to the module’s electrical ratings on the module datasheet.
Further reading
For how Perovskite plays out in real projects, these guides go deeper:
- Solar Performance in Indian Winters, What to Expect
- MPPT vs PWM Charge Controller Comparison
- Solar Inverter Efficiency: 95% vs 97% vs 98%
- Solar Yield in India, kWh-per-kW Benchmarks by State
Sources
- NREL Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart.
- Oxford PV technical announcements.
- ITRPV Roadmap on tandem cells.
- IEA PVPS Trends 2024.
- ISOS Protocols for Perovskite Stability.
- Saliba M., et al., Perovskite Solar Cells research literature.
- Microquanta Semiconductor product documentation.
- CSIR-CEERI Solar R&D publications.
- Hanwha QCells research publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is perovskite in simple words?
Is perovskite commercial?
What efficiency does perovskite reach?
Why is perovskite exciting?
What is the challenge?
Will perovskite replace silicon?
When will tandem cells be widely available?
Are perovskite modules ALMM-listed?
What is the cost potential?
Who is making perovskite cells?
Is perovskite stable enough?
Can perovskite be transparent?
What is the temperature coefficient?
Are there environmental concerns?
What is the future of perovskite in India?
From the Blog
Co-founder & CEO driving Qbits Energy's product strategy and growth across India.