Next‑generation photovoltaics can ease grid intermittency, but require equitable policy, supply‑chain reform, and community ownership
Original framing: “How next-generation photovoltaics could contribute to electricity storage” — The Conversation - Global
Recent advances in perovskite tandem cells and solid‑state batteries provide measurable gains in round‑trip efficiency and cost per kilowatt‑hour, supported by peer‑reviewed lifecycle assessments. However, scientific literature also flags degradation pathways, material toxicity, and recycling challenges that require systemic mitigation. Robust, open‑access data are essential for transparent evaluation of net climate benefits.
Next‑generation photovoltaics offer a promising technical lever to smooth renewable intermittency, yet their impact hinges on addressing entrenched supply‑chain inequities, historical patterns of energy colonialism, and the need for culturally resonant governance.
Indigenous stewardship, community‑owned cooperatives, and fair‑trade circular economies can transform solar storage from a market‑driven gadget into a catalyst for climate justice. Integrated policy that couples grid modernization with just‑transition funds, informed by robust scientific modelling and enriched by artistic‑spiritual narratives, can align economic incentives with equitable outcomes. By foregrounding marginalized voices and employing a trickster lens to expose hidden contradictions, stakeholders can redesign the energy transition as a collective, resilient, and culturally inclusive process.