Organic solar cells set a new world record for performance

A research team from Germany and China has set a new record of the energy conversion efficiency of organic photovoltaic modules (OPV) at 12.6% over an area of ​​26 cm2.

Scientists from Friedrichifer Alexander Erlangen-Nürnberg University (FAU, Germany), Applied Energy Research Center (ZAE) of Bavaria, Germany and Helmholtz Erlangen-Nürnberg Renewable Energy Institute (HI ERN), a branch of Forschungszentrum Jülich (German Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers), in collaboration with South China University of Technology (SCUT) designed an OPV module with an efficiency of 12.6% over an area of ​​26cm ² , exceeding 30% of performance compared to the previous world record of 9.7%.

Dr. Andreas Distler, ZAE Bayern, with organic solar modules at the Solar Factory of the Future Center.

This is the highest efficiency value ever recorded for an organic photovoltaic module. It was confirmed by certified calibration measurements under standard test conditions of the Fraunhofer ISE independent certification laboratory (Freiburg) in September 1919. The multicellular module was developed at the Solar Factory Center of the Future at the Nürnberg Energy Research Facility (EnCN) in a coating laboratory with a megawatt test program. unique to thin film photovoltaics, designed and implemented with financial support from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs (Germany).

This breakthrough shows that Bavaria is not only a leader in the advancement of photovoltaic installations, but also a leading position in the development of future technologies, said Hubert Aiwanger, Minister of Economy. , Bavaria's Regional and Energy Development highlights.

Organic solar cells usually consist of two different organic components, possessing the necessary semiconductor properties. In contrast to the commonly used silicon, which is produced by energy-intensive melting processes, organic materials can be put directly onto films or glass to store them.

On the one hand, this helps to reduce production costs, on the other hand, the use of flexible, lightweight materials allows the implementation of many new applications, such as mobile devices or clothing, even if the efficiency is not comparable. comparable to traditional silicon solar cells.

According to Professor Christoph Brabec, FAU University, Director of the HI ERN Institute, and the Scientific Director of the Solar Factory of the Future Center: 'This is an important milestone in the study of organic semiconductors showing developments. The latest performance with certified cell efficiencies above 16%, is no longer limited to a lab scale, but is ready to expand to a modular 'model level'.

With their design, the efficiency of the fully assembled photovoltaic modules is always slightly lower than that of individual cells. For example, part of the module area is always inactive because it is used to connect individual cells. As the module area increases, so does the resistance of the electrode.

The recognition module consists of twelve cells connected sequentially and has a geometric fill factor of more than 95%. In this part of the module area positively contributes to electricity generation. As for its operating area, the module even achieved an efficiency of 13.2%. Reduction of inactive areas has been achieved through high-resolution laser structure, developed and optimized in recent years at 'Solar Factory of the Future'.

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