What is the potential and current status of perovskite solar cell technology?

Perovskite solar cells use metal halide perovskite materials showing rapid efficiency improvements (3% in 2009 to >25% in labs now). Advantages: low-cost solution processing, tunable bandgap (tandem potential), flexible substrates possible, and good low-light performance. Challenges: stability (moisture, oxygen, UV sensitivity), lead toxicity concerns, scaling from lab to production, long-term reliability unknown, and competition with mature silicon. Tandem perovskite-silicon cells exceed 29% efficiency, potentially breaking silicon's practical limits. Commercialization ongoing with first products entering market. Success could significantly reduce solar costs.