Enabling reliability assessments of pre-commercial perovskite photovoltaics with lessons learned from industrial standards

Photovoltaic modules are expected to operate in the field for more than 25 years, so reliability assessment is critical for the commercialization of new photovoltaic technologies. In early development stages, understanding and addressing the device degradation mechanisms are the priorities. However, any technology targeting large-scale deployment must eventually pass industry-standard qualification tests and undergo reliability testing to validate the module lifetime. In this Perspective, we review the methodologies used to assess the reliability of established photovoltaics technologies and to develop standardized qualification tests. We present the stress factors and stress levels for degradation mechanisms currently identified in pre-commercial perovskite devices, along with engineering concepts for mitigation of those degradation modes. Recommendations for complete and transparent reporting of stability tests are given, to facilitate future inter-laboratory comparisons and to further the understanding of field-relevant degradation mechanisms, which will benefit the development of accelerated stress tests.