Perovskites

Solar panels are useful sources of energy but rather costly. But scientists have recently discovered a new mineral that can be used to manufacture cheap and efficient solar panels. This mineral is called Perovskite. These are crystalline minerals that can produce solar power. The efficiency of using lab-grown Perovskite minerals to create energy from sunlight has went from 3.8 percent to 20 percent in just five years. Compared to silicon solar panels that took 3 decades to get to the same level, it is an amazing feat. Perovskite is both cheap and easy to manufacture, two qualities that silicon solar panels don't have. The problems are that 1. the most efficient type of Perovskite use lead, which is poisonous. As a solution, scientists used tin as a replacement. Although tin is less efficient, it is more safe. 2. Water will dissolve the crystal. Although weatherproofing each and every individual cell would work, it would add to the cost. 3. Since these cells were recently discovered we do not know yet if they will last a long time. I personally think that using solar panels and other forms of electricity in general is a great idea. I never knew that solar panels were so expensive. Upon researching this subject, I learned that an average solar panel system for the home of a person can be a little over $10,000! The power inverter for the solar panel can cost from about $1,000 - $3,000. That's a lot of money. But this newly developed mineral can cut down the price to less than half! I think that solar panels are more healthy for the planet rather than conventional coal-fired power plants. Another type of electricity to consider is nuclear fusion reactors. Fusion power plants can efficiently produce more electricity than a fission power plant. They are more safer but is still in its prototype stage. I hope that the world's leading scientists can create the most efficient way of producing energy without harming the earth. And maybe that scientist will be me!