Are Perovskite Solar Cell Potential-Induced Degradation Proof?

Potential-induced degradation (PID) is a solar cell-related degradation mechanism due to high potential difference in a photovoltaic (PV) module between the solar cells and its grounded frame. This type of degradation is well known for silicon PV; however, for perovskites it has not been thoroughly researched yet. Herein, the PID of perovskite solar cells is investigated for bias voltages of +/- 500 V, half of the currently used system voltage, and +/- 1000 V with regular I-V and electroluminescence measurements during the test. The devices show a high PID resistance under applied bias of +/- 500 V, far exceeding the recommended guidelines for silicon PV. However, for the bias voltage of -1000 V a rapid degradation is observed due to the ingress of sodium ions from the glass substrate as confirmed by the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements of spatial and depth distribution of elements in solar cells. Positively biased devices show no degradation due to high voltage exposure. These results show promising signs that perovskite solar cells are PID proof for current PV system designs.