Review of flexible perovskite solar cells for indoor and outdoor applications

Abstract Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have shown a significant increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) under laboratory circumstances from 2006 to the present, rising from 3.8% to an astonishing 25%. This scientific breakthrough corresponds to the changing energy situation and rising industrial potential. The flexible perovskite solar cell (FPSC), which capitalizes on the benefits of perovskite thin-film deposition and operates at low temperatures, is key to this transition. The FPSC is strategically important for large-scale deployment and mass manufacturing, especially when combined with the benefits of perovskite thin-film deposition under moderate thermodynamic conditions. Its versatility is demonstrated by the ease with which it may be folded, rolled, or coiled over flexible substrates, allowing for efficient transportation. Notably, FPSCs outperform traditional solar panels in terms of adaptability. FPSCs have several advantages over rigid substrates, including mobility, lightweight properties that help transportation, scalability via roll-to-roll (R2R) deposition, and incorporation into textiles and architecture. This in-depth examination dives into their fundamental design and various fabrication techniques, which include conducting substrates, absorber layers, coordinated charge movement, and conductive electrodes. This review evaluates critical FPSC fabrication techniques such as thermal evaporation, R2R approaches, slot die and spray deposition, blade coating, and spin coating. The present challenges in constructing FPSCs with high performance and long-term stability are also highlighted. Finally, the solar industry's potential uses for both indoor and outdoor FPSCs have been discussed.