Dutch research and technology organisation TNO has developed the world’s first perovskite solar roof tile.
TNO has taken an important step in the development of solar energy. By better integrating solar energy into buildings, more space is created for sustainable electricity generation without additional strain on landscape or infrastructure.
Researchers at TNO have successfully applied a perovskite solar module on foil to a roof tile. Despite its curved shape, the solar roof tile module achieves an energy efficiency of 12.4%. This marks an important step towards better integrating solar energy into the built environment, creating more room for sustainable electricity generation without additional pressure on land or infrastructure.
World’s first flexible perovskite solar roof tile
The perovskite solar module on flexible foil has been applied in collaboration with ASAT B.V. to a curved composite roof tile. Measurements show that bending the module onto the roof tile has only a limited effect on its performance. The individual modules achieved an energy efficiency of up to 13.8%. After installation on a curved roof tile, 12.4% efficiency was retained.
'To the best of my knowledge, this is the world’s first electrically functioning solar roof tile concept based on flexible perovskite solar cells,' said Ilker Dogan, Senior Scientist at TNO Solar.
From laboratory to industrial production
This breakthrough is important because the used materials and processes are directly ready for industrial application: they operate under normal conditions and are suitable for large-scale roll-to-roll production of flexible solar foils. This research line enables both customised solutions and large-scale application of flexible solar foils. TNO has completed the full development pathway: from small test cells in the laboratory, to flexible modules measuring 10 by 10 centimeters, and ultimately to a perovskite solar roof tile that can be directly applied in practice.
'This allows roofs and infrastructure to generate sustainable electricity without compromising on design or aesthetics. This makes it an important step in the further development of solar energy in the built environment,' said Roland Valckenborg, Senior Project Manager at TNO Solar.
Collaboration and European ambitions
The roof tile is the result of collaboration within the TNO Solar Program, which brings together expertise in materials development, production technologies and testing. The project was carried out with Dutch and European partners and supports the ambition to strengthen the solar manufacturing industry in the Netherlands and Europe.
Ilker Dogan, Senior Scientist at TNO Solar, said: 'The close collaboration across national and European projects enables our team to advance perovskite technology toward a full R2R manufacturing platform. We are working to demonstrate what flexible perovskite PV can achieve when produced entirely in R2R.' The development aligns with broader goals related to the energy transition, sustainability and energy security.
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Source: TNO
