Nanotechnology Now Home > Press > Removing the lead hazard from perovskite solar cells A transparent phosphate crystal, which incorporated into solar cells, can instantaneously immobilize the lead in case of failure and block its leaching out from the device. CREDIT Endre Horváth (EPFL) Abstract: "The solar energy-to-electricity conversion of perovskite solar cells is unbelievably high, around 25%, which is now approaching the performance of the best silicon solar cells," says Professor László Forró at EPFL's School of Basic Sciences. "But their central element is lead, which is a poison; if the solar panel fails, it can wash out into the soil, get into the food chain, and cause serious diseases."