A new manufacturing technique paves the way for low-cost and scaleable solar generation, according to new research by the University of Sheffield.

While solar power is deemed an environmentally friendly technology, the materials used to manufacture solar panels may have a significant environmental impact. Often these are scarce and expensive elements, such as copper and indium, that need to be mined and refined.

UK-based solar tech firm Power Roll is developing lightweight and flexible solar cells made from perovskite materials.

The use of perovskite materials in solar energy is the subject of increasing research and investment, as these materials are flexible, lightweight, cheap to produce, scalable and as efficient as today’s leading solar photovoltaic materials, which are mainly silicon.

Perovskite solar cells can also be easily deposited on to most surfaces, including rooftops and other unconventional surfaces unable to stand the weight of conventional solar panels.

Power Roll has been...