With the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), 2023 saw the U.S.solarindustry experience historic growth, with newphotovoltaicpower generation capacity reaching an astonishing 32GW, up 52% year-on-year. While this growth is remarkable, the actual demand for solar solutions remains far from satisfied.
Headquarters of US perovskite startup Caelux
I. Market Status and Demand
(1) Market growth: With government emphasis on clean energy and fiscal incentives, the U.S. solar industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. However, this represents only part of the potential market demand. Among non-solar households, over two-thirds express interest in adopting solar solutions, primarily to reduce electricity costs. (2) Consumer demand: Consumer interest in solar solutions extends beyond economic savings to encompass concerns about clean energy and sustainable development. They seek practical yet economical solutions, which necessitates continuous innovation and advancement in solar technology. (3) Technological Advancements: Scott Graybeal, CEO of Caelux, noted that while solar technology has gained widespread acceptance and integration into energy portfolios, there remains significant room for development. He believes perovskite materials hold immense potential for enhancing solar power generation and are key to achieving next-generation solar innovation.
II. Market Opportunities and Challenges for Perovskites
(1) Market Opportunities: Perovskite is a synthetic nanomaterial capable of producing high-efficiency solar devices at low costs. It demonstrates clear advantages in production costs, processing temperatures, and manufacturing techniques, positioning it as a promising material for future photovoltaics. With technological progress and improved durability, perovskite applications are expanding across fields—from electric vehicles to satellites, and from building-integrated solar solutions to IoT devices. (2) Technical Challenges: Despite its promising prospects, perovskite faces several challenges in achieving large-scale production and application. These include improving material stability and durability, reducing production costs, and overcoming competition with traditional silicon-based photovoltaic technologies. Addressing these issues requires collective effort and sustained innovation. (3) Overcoming Challenges: The successful application of perovskite technology hinges on overcoming these technical and market challenges. This demands collaborative efforts from governments, enterprises, and research institutions—through R&D investment, production process optimization, material performance enhancement, and application promotion—to collectively advance perovskite commercialization.
III. Strategies for Achieving Technological Leadership in Perovskites
(1) Global Perspective: Achieving leadership in perovskite technology requires a global outlook to recognize and adapt to worldwide technological progress. This means scaling from laboratories to factories and accelerating the commercialization process. (2) Field Testing and Application Promotion: Supporting outdoor testing of perovskite modules and pilot applications in solar projects are critical steps for validating and improving technical performance. This requires government funding and third-party testing facility support. (3) Technical Education and Talent Development: A specialized workforce proficient in mechatronics, logistics, and factory operations is needed to drive updates in manufacturing-oriented economic models. Meanwhile, robust immigration policies will help attract and retain top talent to foster technological innovation.