Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough using a so-called ‘miracle material’ to boost the efficiency of solar panels.

Two separate studies published on Thursday demonstrated how the material perovskite could push the power conversion efficiency rate of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells above 30 per cent – beyond the theoretical limit of 29 per cent for traditional silicon (PV) solar cells.

And the environmental damage associated with mining the raw materials for Perovskite ?

 

Life span ? recyclability ?  etc etc... 

 

A lot of the discussion of these renewables does not account for the 'source' impact of such materials and only measure their environmental friendly from 'start of use' rather than life span from sourcing and transportation of raw-materials to manufacturing processes, to maintenance to disposal... 

 

These issues are so politicised its difficult to get hold of trustable unbiased facts.

56 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

And the environmental damage associated with mining the raw materials for Perovskite ?

They don't.

Rather they synthesise compounds with perovskite structure this can be done cheaply,  ammonium halide salts do the trick.

 

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