An Assessment of Perovskite Solar Cells for Low-Intensity-Low-Temperature (LILT) Space Missions

Low-Temperature-Low-Intensity (LILT) conditions consistent with those found in orbit around the outer planets are applied on mixed-cation-based perovskite solar cells. Stability under low temperature is supported by no evidence of a phase change in the temperature dependent photoluminescence spectra. Under 1-sun AM0 conditions at low temperature a barrier is apparent that impedes current flow and reduces the fill factor. However, under low intensity and low temperature, where the photogenerated current is less than the thermionic emission rate the carrier extraction, fill factor and efficiency are recovered; indicating perovskites are promising candidates for CubeSat and SmallSat outer planetary missions.