by Komoneed | Mar 19, 2025
Perovskite solar cells could last 10 times longer thanks to research by the University of Surrey. The research suggests that alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles enhance the lifespan and stability of these high-efficiency energy devices.
While perovskite solar cells provide a cost-effective and lightweight alternative to traditional silicon-based technology, their commercial potential has been limited due to a flaw in their structure — primarily caused by iodine leakage. Over time, this escape of iodine can lead to material degradation, reducing performance and durability.
Working in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory and the University of Sheffield, Surrey scientists have now discovered a way to trap iodine by embedding tiny particles of Al2O3 — aluminium oxide — within the cell, holding promise for longer-lasting and more affordable next-generation solar panels.
Dr Hashini Perera, a postgraduate research student and lead author on the study from the Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey, said, “It’s incredibly exciting to see our approach make such an impact. A decade ago, the idea of perovskite solar cells lasting this long under real-world conditions seemed out of reach. With these improvements, we’re breaking new ground in stability and performance, bringing perovskite technology closer to becoming a mainstream energy solution.”
The study, published in EES Solar, tested the modified solar cells under extreme heat and humidity to replicate real-world conditions. Results showed that solar cells with embedded Al2O3 nanoparticles maintained high performance for more than two months (1530 hours) — a 10-fold improvement compared to 160 hours without the alumina-enhanced modifications.
Further analysis revealed that the Al2O3 nanoparticles contributed to a more uniform perovskite structure, reducing defects and improving electrical conductivity. They also resulted in the formation of a protective 2D perovskite layer, which acts as an additional barrier against moisture degradation.
Dr Imalka Jayawardena from the Advanced Technology Institute said, “By addressing these common challenges we see with perovskite solar technology, our research blows the doors wide open for cheaper, more efficient and more widely accessible solar power. What we’ve achieved here is a critical step toward developing high-performance solar cells that can withstand real-world conditions, bringing us closer to their commercial use at a global scale.”
Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the Advanced Technology Insitute and interim Director at the Surrey Institute for Sustainability, added, “With the deadline for net-zero targets fast approaching, expanding access to renewable energy solutions is more critical than ever if we’re to successfully reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Breakthroughs like this will play a vital role in meeting global energy demands while supporting our transition to a sustainable future.
“Recent analysis by the Confederation of British Industry also highlights that training in the renewable energy sector not only improves career prospects but can lead to wages above the national average, reinforcing the economic and environmental benefits of investing in clean energy.”
Image caption: Dr Hashini Perera, postgraduate research student at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute.
by Komoneed | Mar 18, 2025
Whales are important for healthy oceans. They move tons of deep-water nutrients to the surface when they poop, and, according to new research, they also transport massive amounts of nutrients from Alaska to Hawaii in their urine. Fifteen years ago, scientists discovered that whale poop provided a crucial resource for the growth of plankton, contributing […]
The post Whales Support Ecosystems by Transporting Nutrients Thousands of Miles in Their Urine: Study appeared first on EcoWatch.
by Komoneed | Mar 18, 2025
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Boom Supersonic and NASA collaborated to capture the shock waves of the XB-1 using advanced Schlieren photography. 📷 The successful operation required precise timing and expert piloting, resulting in unique images of air density variations at supersonic speeds. 🔊 The test demonstrated that supersonic flight is possible without an audible sonic […]
The post “NASA Captures the Unthinkable” – XB-1’s Supersonic Wave Stuns the World with Groundbreaking Clarity appeared first on Sustainability Times.
by Komoneed | Mar 18, 2025
IN A NUTSHELL 🌕 NASA has achieved a milestone by enabling Earth’s GPS technology on the Moon, transforming lunar navigation. 🚀 The LuGRE experiment, developed in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency, successfully tracked GNSS signals from 225,000 miles away. 🌌 The mission has set new records in cislunar space, demonstrating the feasibility of GNSS […]
The post Earth GPS now linked to the Moon – This unprecedented NASA breakthrough is rewriting space navigation appeared first on Sustainability Times.
by Komoneed | Mar 18, 2025
Australia’s 2024 solar installations will prevent approximately 4.23 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually — equivalent to removing 760,000 cars from the road. This striking environmental benefit, calculated by Solar Nerds’ sustainability research team in their environmental impact analysis of Australia’s solar sector, demonstrates how distributed solar generation is delivering meaningful climate progress despite ongoing policy uncertainty. The report quantifies Australia’s sustainability progress through detailed installation metrics, geographical analysis, system size distribution, and insights from a nationwide survey of solar professionals.
The report presents comprehensive data on Australia’s solar deployment, with detailed rankings of the top 10 installers by kilowatt capacity. When viewed through a sustainability lens, these installation volumes represent significant carbon reduction achievements contributing to emissions reduction targets tracked by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The analysis shows that 2024’s total solar installations of 3,222,311 kilowatts will avoid approximately 4.23 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing 760,000 cars from Australia’s roads. The data reveals that residential installations (0–15 kW) contributed 77% of these environmental benefits, highlighting the crucial role of household-level sustainability actions in national environmental progress.
A breakdown of installations by system size categories (0–15 kW, 15–40 kW, and 40+ kW) illustrates how different sectors — from residential to commercial and industrial — are contributing to Australia’s overall sustainability goals. This segmentation helps environmental managers understand which market sectors are driving the most significant carbon reductions.
The data highlights that NSW achieved the highest solar adoption with 32% of the national total, resulting in approximately 1.03 million tonnes of avoided CO2 emissions. NT recorded the most substantial year-over-year growth at 16.49%, accelerating its environmental progress.
Detailed state-level analyses provide insights into how sustainability progress varies across Australia. This regional breakdown helps sustainability professionals understand geographical variations in carbon reduction progress and identify areas where additional initiatives may be needed.
The report features 12-month historical data presented through intuitive bar charts, allowing environmental managers to track installation volumes — and, by extension, carbon reduction — over time. This temporal analysis is complemented by quarter-over-quarter comparisons that indicate whether sustainability progress is accelerating or slowing.
Imraan Thanawalla, Managing Director of Solaris Finance (owner of Solar Nerds), notes, “Our temporal analysis reveals important patterns in Australia’s decarbonization journey.” Understanding these patterns helps sustainability professionals assess progress towards corporate and governmental climate goals.
For sustainability professionals focused on specific environmental goals, the report offers dedicated analysis of different system size categories:
0–15 kW systems: Primarily residential installations.
15–40 kW systems: Small commercial installations.
40–kW systems: Larger commercial and industrial installations.
These segmented analyses help environmental managers understand which system scales are delivering the most substantial sustainability benefits, aligning with findings from Climate Works Australia’s Decarbonisation Futures report. For organizations considering solar adoption, understanding what size solar system would best meet their sustainability goals is a crucial planning consideration.
The report’s postcode analysis identifies Australia’s environmental leadership zones, with rankings of the top-performing postcodes both nationally (top 10) and by state (top 5). Year-over-year growth figures highlight emerging centres of sustainability adoption, providing valuable intelligence for environmental planners and policy advocates.
This geographical data helps sustainability professionals identify high-performing regions and understand localized adoption patterns. For environmental managers, the postcode data provides benchmarking opportunities and insights into community-level sustainability progress.
Australia’s sustainability leaders by postcode and growth rate
Drawing from the industry survey, the report provides insights into which sustainable technologies are gaining market traction:
Leading inverter technologies and their efficiency characteristics
Preferred solar panel manufacturers and their sustainability credentials
Battery storage systems supporting greater renewable energy utilization
These technology preferences help sustainability professionals understand how the technical aspects of how solar systems work are evolving to deliver greater environmental benefits.
The report examines how renewable energy projects are being financed, analysing the balance between capital expenditure and various financing approaches. This information is particularly valuable for sustainability professionals seeking to understand how financial models are supporting or hindering environmental progress.
Thanawalla also mentioned, “Financial accessibility remains a key enabler of corporate sustainability initiatives.” These insights help environmental managers develop appropriate business cases for solar adoption, with clear understanding of available project funding options to support sustainability goals.
The report includes analysis of how incentive mechanisms like Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are supporting Australia’s sustainability transition. Rankings of top STC traders by volume and market share provide context for understanding how effectively these policy instruments are driving environmental outcomes, which is regularly assessed by the Grattan Institute in their energy transition analyses.
The industry survey provides insights into the installation methodologies and operational approaches that installers use. This information helps sustainability professionals understand how installation processes are being optimised to reduce waste and improve system performance.
These operational insights are particularly valuable for organizations developing sustainable procurement guidelines or evaluating potential solar partners based on their environmental practices.
The 2024 Yearly Report features an awards section recognizing sustainability excellence across various categories. These awards highlight exemplary companies that are setting benchmarks for environmental performance in the Australian solar market.
The 2024 Yearly Solar Installation Report provides environmental managers and sustainability professionals with comprehensive, data-driven insights into Australia’s solar market and its environmental impact. The detailed installation metrics, regional analyses, and industry perspectives collectively document the nation’s progress toward a more sustainable energy system.
For organizations seeking deeper insights into sustainability performance, system economics, and technical specifications, Solar Nerds also provides extensive educational resources on various aspects of solar technology and environmental impact.
Top image: Snapshot of Australia’s solar deployment in 2024.
