Plextronics Breaks World Record for Organic Solar Cell Efficiency
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 08.12.07
Try matching it up to the record in solar cell efficiency recently set by two University of Delaware scientists — 5.4% vs. 42.8% — and it certainly doesn't sound worthy of a new world record. However, there is an important caveat: the record-setting solar cell technology created by Plextronics, a Pittsburgh-based organic semiconductor startup, is organic.
Organic solar cells — made out of plastic-like polymers — are much cheaper when compared by the conventional inorganic, silicon and metal-based solar cells typically favored by the solar industry. Their one main disadvantage, of course, is their relatively low efficiency (measured as what percent of light is converted to electricity): when compared with the 20 - 40% efficiencies regularly attained by inorganic crystalline solar cells, the 5.4% efficiency sounds almost disappointing.
While their solar cells may not have the highest efficiency, Plextronics' organic cells have several potential applications that conventional cells lack — portable electronics devices and power backup, amongst other "off grid" functions. Because they are flexible, the cells could be used in clothing for on-the-go battery charging — a function several clothing manufacturers have already employed to varying degrees of success. Another advantage is the cells' low cost: they are about 5 times cheaper than conventional silicon-based solar cells — which makes them ideal candidates for developing countries' energy markets. If their estimates hold true, the cost of solar cell production may soon be driven to a viable $1/watt.
Imagine the possibilities...
Via ::Earth2Tech: Startup: Plextronics, Organic Solar Cells (blog), ::Inside Greentech: Solar goes organic (news website)
See also: ::Paint-on Solar Cells, ::Spherical Solar Cells
I'd actually be curious to compare the efficiencies of different solar cells on an EROEI (energy returned on energy invested) basis. From my understanding, traditional solar cells take quite a bit of energy to manufacture, not to mention the toxic chemicals. Organic solar cell manufacturing would hopefully be less toxic and less energy-intensive. How do the energy payback periods compare?
Organic here means plastic, as in organic chemistry, not as in organic farming. We are talking about polymers here, so a question when comparing to silicon would be how long these things would last, being exposed to the sun all day, and how disposable would they be.
Also, in terms of land use for solar farms, this technology would require four to eight times the area.
I'm not saying it's a bad technology to work on. But I don't see advantages over inorganic yet, except the flexibility, and that would mainly serve niche needs.
simular panels were developed in the usa in the 80's with some success. they were three layered panels made of materials senative to blue,ulta violet & red light. they also had fresnal lenses to help concentrate the sunlight. all this boosted efficiency close to 10%. it don't sound like it was very efficient by today's standards, but give this was over 25 years ago. they were never mass produced because of it's high manufacturing costs.
Comment on the picture: When are we going to stop using an incandescent lightbulb as the symbol for an electric load?