Solar cells in plastic film produce energy from rooftops

Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Power Roll develop flexible solar cells for rooftops and surfaces using plastic film with a solution processable semiconductor. The byproduct aims to replace fossil fuels with energy harvested from the sun. For these flexible solar cells, the researchers use plastic film filled with the perovskite material synthesized in the laboratory. It’s a mineral semiconductor often used in similar projects because of their efficiency in converting light to electricity.

Once filled with perovskite, the researchers create small indentations on the plastic film filled with solar cells. These ‘tiny grooves’ allow the invention to capture more sunlight, making it easier for them to convert it into electricity. Since these thin solar cells are inside plastic films, they can bend and follow the shape of any surfaces. Users can also install them onto other unconventional surfaces that could not normally stand the weight of solar panels.

all images courtesy of Power Roll and University of Sheffield

front surface of the material absorbs more sunlight

Researchers from the University of Sheffield and the company Power Roll say that traditional solar cells are made by stacking multiple layers and not with plastic film. Their design bears electrical contacts both on the front and the back. It’s different from the ones they’ve developed because the electric contacts are only present on the back. They believe the approach is more efficient because the front surface absorbs more sunlight. After developing the solar cells in plastic film, the researchers use an advanced microscope called a Hard X-ray nanoprobe.

The machine studies the invention’s structure and material composition. It is located at the Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire, and it captures detailed images of what’s inside the solar cells, allowing the researchers to examine the material’s tiny flaws, empty spaces, and boundaries between microscopic crystals. The next phase for the researchers is to develop the use of X-ray microscopy in characterizing these solar cells in plastic film. So far, new experiments take place in the summer of 2025 at the Diamond Light Source to conduct device operation and stability.

researchers develop the invention for rooftops and surfaces

the researchers use plastic film filled with the perovskite material instead of silicon

since the invention is flexible, they can bend and follow the shape of any surfaces

the small indentations on the film allow the invention to capture more sunlight

the electric contacts of the invention are only present on the back