Kerala University researchers develop high-efficiency, lead-free solar cell

Researchers at the Kerala University have developed a new blueprint for the next-generation solar power by replacing toxic lead in perovskite solar cells for a mixture of tin and rare earth metals. The team has designed a solar cell that is not only environmentally “green”, but is also highly efficient.

While solar energy is a cornerstone of clean power, the most efficient perovskite solar cells currently used in labs often contain lead, which poses environmental risks if the panels are damaged. The new study, published in peer-reviewed journal ACS Applied Engineering Materials, is expected to provide a realistic pathway to eliminate the toxicity without sacrificing performance.