Addressing scalability, stability, and sustainability challenges of perovskite solar cells for commercial viability

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have rapidly emerged as one of the most promising candidates in next-generation photovoltaics, with an extraordinary power conversion efficiency (PCE) rise (3.8% to 28.0% for single-junction devices and beyond 35% for perovskite-based tandem designs). Multidisciplinary advances in compositional engineering, interface engineering and defect passivation, advanced charge transport layers, and improved crystallization control are the driving forces behind this extraordinary advancement. The most significant challenge to widespread commercialization is still long-term operational stability, regardless of these impressive developments. The understanding of individual degradation mechanisms has advanced significantly, but there is still a lack of a common viewpoint related to degradation physics, device reliability, and commercial readiness. Hence, applying a combined commercialization approach integrating photovoltaic performance with environmental sustainability, manufacturing scalability, operating stability, and economic viability, this review critically assesses these challenges. Moreover, the transition from laboratory cells to large-area modules, circular economy approaches, scalable manufacture, lead-free or lead-reduced materials and standardized stability assessment are all given special consideration. Additionally, this review also addresses how commercially feasible PSCs might contribute to SDGs 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13, emphasizing that these contributions are depending upon achieving sufficient lifespans, scalable production, environmental safety, affordability, and appropriate end-of-life management. The primary research priorities needed to move PSCs toward long-term, scalable, and sustainable solar commercialization are identified by this integrated perspective.