 |
ShanghaiJune 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On June 4, 2026, TÜV SÜD (hereinafter referred to as “TÜV SÜD”) officially released the “2026 China Perovskite Photovoltaic Technology Quality Development White Paper” (hereinafter referred to as the “White Paper”) during the 19th (2026) International Solar Photovoltaic and Smart Energy (Shanghai) Conference & Exhibition (SNEC PV+), in collaboration with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The main body of the White Paper was compiled by the TÜV SÜD New Energy Reliability and Standardization Research Institute. Dr. Robert Puto, Senior Vice President of Commercial Product Services for TÜV SÜD Greater China, and Professor Shen Wenzhong, Director of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Honorary Chairman of the Shanghai Solar Energy Society, respectively authored the forewords for the White Paper. Guided by the core principles of “Seeking Truth as Proof: The Immediate Needs of Perovskite Photovoltaics” and “Building Foundations with Standards, Achieving Vision with Technology,” the White Paper charts a course for the high-quality, sustainable commercial development of the perovskite photovoltaic industry. At the press conference, both foreword authors, along with several renowned industry experts and leaders, attended to witness the official release of the White Paper.
Group photo commemorating the joint release of the “2026 China Perovskite Photovoltaic Technology Quality Development White Paper” by TÜV SÜD and the Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Perovskite Photovoltaics: One of the Most Promising Next-Generation Photovoltaic Technologies
As a new generation of photovoltaic technology, perovskite photovoltaics offers significant advantages in conversion efficiency, manufacturing cost, and application scenarios, making it a core direction for innovation and upgrading in the global photovoltaic industry. The White Paper notes that as mainstream crystalline silicon technology approaches its theoretical efficiency limit (29.4%) and the potential for cost reduction narrows, the market is eagerly anticipating next-generation photovoltaic technologies. Perovskite cells, with their disruptive advantages—high efficiency (theoretical efficiency of 33% for single-junction and 45% for tandem cells), low cost (significant potential in materials and manufacturing costs), and flexible/semi-transparent fabrication—are considered one of the most promising next-generation photovoltaic technologies, ushering in unprecedented development opportunities. Over the past decade, the highest efficiency records for perovskite cells have been continuously refreshed, with single-junction perovskite devices rising from 3.8% in 2009 to the current 27.3%.
This White Paper focuses on the current quality status, technical bottlenecks, testing and evaluation systems, and future trends of China’s perovskite photovoltaic industry. By integrating cutting-edge research with industrial practices, it aims to fill gaps in industry standards and quality assessment, thereby providing professional support for corporate R&D, production management, market access, and policy formulation. This will help accelerate the transition of perovskite technology from laboratory research to large-scale industrial application.
From Laboratory Efficiency to Long-Term Reliability
In his foreword, Dr. Robert Puto of TÜV SÜD stated: “For over eighteen years, TÜV SÜD has been deeply involved in the photovoltaic industry through multiple technological iterations, fully confirming that while initial conversion efficiency is important, the predictability of long-term performance is the key to transforming laboratory breakthroughs into investable industrial assets.”
Currently, the prospects for perovskite technology are vast, but the dynamic and variable nature of its materials also brings core challenges that have not yet been fully quantified, such as stability and reliability. The IEC standard certification system applicable to crystalline silicon cannot adequately address key issues for perovskites, including performance under real-world combined stress conditions, test repeatability, degradation failure modes, and service life.
Dr. Robert Puto of TÜV SÜD pointed out that the perovskite industry urgently needs rigorous, transparent, and practically applicable testing research. TÜV SÜD is developing customized accelerated testing protocols specifically for perovskites. Through extended stress cycle testing, combined operating condition simulations, in-situ real-time testing, and cross-laboratory comparison validation, these protocols will precisely uncover failure mechanisms and quantify performance uncertainties. This system will provide empirical evidence for manufacturers to optimize processes, for investors and insurance institutions to quantify risks, and for project operators to formulate operation and maintenance strategies, building a foundation of industry trust based on “seeking truth as proof” through test data. TÜV SÜD will support the robust commercialization of perovskite technology with dual support from standard certification and advanced testing.
Dr. Robert Puto of TÜV SÜD speaking at the press conference
Synergy with Crystalline Silicon Tandem, Not Blind Replacement
Professor Shen Wenzhong, Director of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Honorary Chairman of the Shanghai Solar Energy Society, also expressed his views in his foreword. He believes that perovskite photovoltaics, with its advantages of high efficiency, low cost, and ease of fabrication, has become a core track for global photovoltaic technology innovation. China’s perovskite industry is entering a critical phase of industrial verification. However, stability, large-area uniformity, long-term reliability, and cost control remain core industrial bottlenecks. The proper path for perovskite industrialization should be synergistic development with crystalline silicon tandem cells, rather than blindly pursuing replacement.
He emphasized that high-quality industrial development cannot be achieved without the guidance and protection of unified standards and quality systems. The current industry still faces issues such as inconsistent testing methods, a lack of reliability evaluation, and uneven product specifications. This White Paper systematically reviews the current technical status, quality pain points, and compliance pathways, directly addressing industry shortcomings and providing solutions. It offers scientific guidance for technology R&D, production line construction, and market access. Looking ahead, he called for collaborative efforts across industry, academia, research, and application sectors to break through technical bottlenecks through basic research, integrate the crystalline silicon ecosystem through industrial synergy, and solidify the quality foundation through a standard system. This will drive China’s perovskite industry from “scale expansion” to “quality leap,” securing a technological high ground and gaining a development edge in the global photovoltaic transformation, contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the global carbon neutrality goal and energy transition.
Professor Shen Wenzhong, Director of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Honorary Chairman of the Shanghai Solar Energy Society, speaking at the press conference
A Significant Step in Quality Standards, Helping China’s Perovskite Lead Globally
The release of this White Paper embodies the professional attitude of “seeking truth as proof” and the development philosophy of “building foundations with standards, achieving vision with technology,” marking an important step forward in the quality standards and standard system construction for the perovskite photovoltaic industry. In the future, TÜV SÜD will continue to leverage its global technological and service advantages, collaborating with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Shanghai Solar Energy Society, and partners across the entire industry chain. It will deepen testing and evaluation research, improve the industry standard system, and promote the transformation of technological achievements. Through authoritative certification and professional services, TÜV SÜD aims to safeguard the high-quality development of the industry, help China’s perovskite photovoltaic technology lead globally, and inject lasting momentum into the global energy transition and sustainable development.