Perovskite may leak less lead than lead-solder silicon, say scientists
A study finds perovskite solar modules may leak far less lead than silicon with lead solder under best-practice conditions, with cumulative leakage up to 94% lower by 2060 in China.
Researchers led by Huazhong University of Science and Technology modeled lead flows from perovskite photovoltaics in China from 2026 to 2060, comparing four perovskite scenarios against two silicon cases. Under best-practice conditions, cumulative lead leakage could be up to 94% lower than from crystalline silicon modules using lead-based solder at the same installed capacity. The study combines dynamic material flow analysis with freshwater ecotoxicity modeling to assess environmental impact.
Single-junction perovskite modules contain about 2 grams to 3.9 grams of lead per kilowatt, while all-perovskite tandems have about 3.6 grams to 4 grams. Silicon modules with lead solder contain about 36 grams to 53 grams per kilowatt. In the 40% market-share scenario, cumulative lead leakage from 2026 to 2060 reaches about 479 metric tons under the perovskite best-practice scenario, compared to about 8,554 metric tons for silicon with lead solder.
Manufacturing dominates modeled lead losses under business-as-usual conditions, where 58.9% of cumulative lead input is lost, mainly during production. Perovskite module lifetimes start at about 10 years and rise to 20 years by 2060 in business-as-usual and cleaner-production scenarios, and to 30 years in technology-advancement and best-practice scenarios. The study also models the effect of Chinese exports, with developed economies outsourcing manufacturing-stage leakage while tropical developing countries face higher domestic leakage due to faster degradation and limited recycling.
The researchers concluded that lead does not have to be a prohibitive barrier to perovskite commercialization if governance shifts toward transnational extended producer responsibility. In the European Union, solar panels are excluded from lead limits under the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive but are covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, which mandates 85% recovery and 80% reuse and recycling for collected panels.