Perovskite could lift solar efficiency ceiling from 30% to 45% — and give the US a shot against China
kyliebytes · x · 2026-09-17
Core Memory's podcast hosts Swift Solar CEO Joel Jean on perovskite solar tech.
- The promise: Perovskite crystals convert sunlight to electricity more cheaply than silicon; stacking it on silicon could push the efficiency ceiling from 30% (25% in practice) to 45%.
- The problem: Anyone can make decently efficient perovskite, but it degrades under heat, light, and its own moving ions — far less durable than panels that must last decades outdoors. Jean says Swift is closing in on a fix.
- Context: China makes 90% of the world's solar cells and wafers, and AI's soaring energy demands make solar innovation urgent.
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