New research to make solar cells more sustainable

Bath scientists are part of a £2 million collaborative research project to develop safer, cheaper and more sustainable new materials that can be used for solar cells.

The PVTeam (Photovoltaic Technology based on Earth Abundant Materials) project aims to develop new active materials for photovoltaic solar cells based on abundant and low cost elements.

The research objective is to replace key elements such as gallium, indium, cadmium and tellurium with abundant non-toxic alternatives, while developing and implementing processes compatible with large-scale manufacturing in the UK.

The team in Bath comprises Professors Kieran Molloy, Laurie Peter, Aron Walsh and Mark Weller from the University's Department of Chemistry.

Professor Walsh explained: "The key raw materials currently used in the production of solar cells such as gallium and cadmium have low abundance, high costs and high toxicity. So finding alternatives will not only make solar cells cheaper but also safer and more sustainable for the environment."

Provided by University of Bath