The research team developed perovskite solar cells measuring only 10 nanometers thick, making them roughly 10,000 times thinner than a human hair. Despite their extremely small size, the devices still maintain promising photovoltaic performance and rank among the strongest reported results in this ultrathin category.
The technology could eventually allow windows, glass facades, vehicle sunroofs, and smart glass surfaces to generate electricity while remaining partially transparent. Instead of requiring additional rooftop infrastructure, entire building exteriors could potentially contribute to power generation throughout the day.
Unlike traditional silicon solar panels, which perform best under direct sunlight, perovskite-based cells can continue operating under indirect and diffuse lighting conditions. This makes them particularly relevant for high-rise cities, where skyscrapers create shaded streets and cloud cover frequently limits direct solar exposure.
During testing, opaque devices with 10-, 30-, and 60-nanometer perovskite layers achieved power conversion efficiencies of approximately 7%, 11%, and 12%. A semi-transparent version using a 60-nanometer layer reached around 7.6% efficiency while still allowing about 41% of visible light to pass through. Although modern commercial solar panels often exceed 20% efficiency, the NTU design offers different advantages, including extremely low weight, flexibility, and easier integration into existing architecture.
The researchers also emphasized that the devices are color-neutral, meaning they would not dramatically tint windows or alter the appearance of glass-covered skyscrapers. Transparency levels can be adjusted during manufacturing by controlling the thickness of the perovskite layers.
A major part of the breakthrough comes from the manufacturing process itself. The NTU team used a vacuum-based thermal evaporation technique already common in semiconductor and display production. Compared to liquid chemical methods often used in experimental solar research, this approach allows more uniform large-area films, precise thickness control, and reduced structural defects.
According to the researchers, if scaled successfully, the technology could eventually transform the glass surfaces of large skyscrapers into active power-generating systems without fundamentally changing modern urban architecture.
According to Newatlas/NTU
