Organic solar cells with increased transparency and efficiency

Researchers developed a semi-transparent organic solar cell that achieves better efficiency and transparency than existing ones.

Semi-transparent organic solar cells (OSCs) have potential for providing low-cost, large-area energy conversion devices for various applications such as windows, roof covers and greenhouses. However, it is challenging to achieve semi-transparent OSCs with high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and high transparency at the same time. The average visible transmittance (AVT) of the cell can be increased by decreasing the binary film thickness; however, this goes at the expense of the PCE because less sunlight is absorbed by a thinner layer.

In a new study researchers bypassed this tradeoff between transparency and efficiency of OSCs by using a ternary mixture. In addition, they used a flexible and transparent top electrode that was applied via a lamination step. As an advantage, the lamination process is simple and compatible with roll-to-roll systems for OSC production from solution.

Read more at TechXplore

Image Credit: Alexander Colsmann, KIT

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