MIT Lead-Acid Battery Recycling for Perovskite Solar Cells

Research and education

Research and Education

A process that extracts lead from old lead-acid batteries for reuse in manufacturing perovskite solar cells rather than mining new lead.

A new type of solar cell that uses lead and other common elements to generate electricity. These cells are cheaper than conventional silicon cells, require lower manufacturing temperatures, and have reached 19% efficiency.

Conventional solar cell technology that serves as the baseline for comparison. More established but more complex and environmentally intensive to manufacture than perovskite cells.

Massachusetts

Solar cells manufactured using lead extracted from recycled lead-acid batteries. These cells are cheaper than silicon alternatives, require simpler manufacturing at lower temperatures, and have achieved 19% efficiency.