CSIRO's PVPL test lab leads international perovskite standards

CSIRO’s globally accredited PV testing lab leads development of international standards for perovskite solar cell measurement.

Perovskite solar cells are notoriously challenging to characterise due to their time-and-history-dependent behaviour. Australia’s only NATA accredited PV testing lab is working with a handful of similar labs around the world to develop effective perovskite performance verification protocols – utilising high performing cells supplied by ACAP research teams.  

As next-generation solar technologies such as perovskites move from laboratory research towards commercial deployment, measuring their performance accurately, repeatably and credibly is a challenge. Without trusted, standardised measurement protocols, research results cannot be compared, efficiencies cannot be independently verified, and investors lack the confidence required to support emerging technologies at scale. 

CSIRO's solar simulator with the reference cell being measured, at Australia's only NATA accredited Photovoltaic Performance Laboratory (PVPL) at CSIRO Newcastle.

Addressing this challenge is a core capability of the Photovoltaic Performance Laboratory (PVPL) at CSIRO Newcastle, one of the ACAP nodes. PVPL is the only laboratory in Australia operating under ISO/IEC 17025 and the PV specific IEC 60904 accreditation for photovoltaic performance measurement, spanning both established silicon technologies and emerging devices such as perovskite solar cells.  

In 2025, as perovskite efficiencies continued to advance across the ACAP research network, CSIRO undertook an external technical assessment as part of its ongoing accreditation. In July, CSIRO's PVPL test lab hosted a senior researcher from Renewable Energy Systems (UAE) to independently review its measurement procedures, with a particular focus on metastable photovoltaic devices.  

During the year, the majority of advanced measurements undertaken by PVPL focused on high-performing perovskite solar cells supplied by ACAP partners, directly linking national research excellence with accredited measurement capability. PVPL’s role in the verification of 3 world-record photovoltaic device performances reported by Australian (ACAP) research teams reinforces its position as a trusted authority in photovoltaic measurement.  

This capability is critical not only for research integrity, but for commercial readiness: accredited, standardised testing underpins bankability, investor confidence, and market entry for next-generation solar technologies. 

Building on this valuable experience, CSIRO researchers are leading the development of a new international standard for perovskite measurement, IEC 60904-1-4. This will remove a major barrier to commercialisation of perovskite solar cells, helping ensure global consistency as the technology matures. 

The standard is not yet finalised but ACAP Technical Lead Dr Chris Fell (CSIRO) says, “The barrier removal really is significant because, until this standard is available, it's impossible for anyone to perform the globally mandated IEC standard stress testing. So there really can't be a product without the work we're doing.” 

Looking ahead, CSIRO is expanding PVPL’s capabilities to include module-scale and tandem device measurements, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of validating the photovoltaic technologies that will shape the next phase of the global energy transition.