A new article today, 15 July 2022, promotes the use of Perovskite Solar Cells as incorporated into future building materials.  One example:  Perovskite Solar Cells being imprinted onto steel building materials:

Solar cells printed on steel for buildings generate clean energy, researchers say (msn.com)

Intriguing headline, no?  Well, what the heck is a "Perovskite Solar Cell" anyway, you ask?

It turns out that this alterrnative solar cell technology has a lot of promise for the future, but in order to jump from promise to commercial and, most of all, reliable and durable product there are some formidable barriers in the way... some stumbling blocks for researchers to overcome:

Perovskite Solar Cells | Department of Energy

The promise of greater than 30% efficiency is certainly news worthy and attention grabbing in the world of solar technology, but "Does it Float"? 

Refer to the DOE article above that points out several of those stumbling blocks that have to be overcome before Perovskite Solar Cells reach Nirvana.

Obviously, if the researchers claiming to incorporate Perovskite Solar Cells into steel building materials succeed in achieving results that allow for the required durability and stability necessary to insure wide spread adoption of this alternative solar cell technology then it will result in a substantial increase in the solar generation of electricity world wide and at a faster rate than presently seen with existing technologies since the use of steel in construction materials is universal and the proposed cost reductions would be a major factor in spreading solar generation.

That is the big "IF".  At least it is a story to keep an eye on for the future as the research in this area continues to play out.

Okiedo.