Solarmer sets sights on BIPV

Dan Rogers - 24 Mar 2010

Organic solar cell company Solarmer Energy is enhancing cell efficiency in 2010 to prepare for the building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) market.

The US firm is planning to increase efficiencies - already the highest for organic PVs (OPVs) at 7.9% - to 10% before the end of the year.

These higher efficiencies, combined with greater lifetimes, will allow the company to seriously address the BIPV market - and Solarmer will officially announce its collaboration with a partner in this field in the next few weeks, according to lifetime project director Vishal Shrotriya.

He comments: 'The ultimate goal for us is BI applications - smaller applications like bags and electronic items are a step towards that.

'Greater lifetimes and efficiencies higher than 10% open up huge opportunities in BIPV. Transparent windows are the killer application we're going for.'

Partnership

Although Shrotriya estimates that successful commercialisation in BIPV is still 3-5 years away, the company has already been developing ties with companies who can help Solarmer access this market, and its first cooperation with be clarified in the coming weeks.

'We need to work with people in the industry - glass manufacturers, designers and architects to start with. The best approach is to build a prototype and work with people interested in the technology.

'We're in discussions with some companies to that end, and we'll be making an announcement about a partnership in the next couple of weeks.'

Other OPV developers have been addressing the BIPV market in recent years. US firm Konarka is working with Arch Aluminum and Glass on windows and glass facades for buildings, while Dyesol and Corus Colours in the UK have collaborated on OPVs for steel building materials. German company Bosch is also working with Heliatek on OPVs for rooftops and, in Australia, the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium is partnering with building firms like roofing manufacturer Bluescope Steel to establish OPV applications.

Laptops and bags

The company has already completed its pilot line for OPV manufacture, which will produce 1-3MW of panels a year when it comes into operation towards the end of 2010.

The first cells will be produced for the bags and accessories market - where Konarka and G24 Innovations are already active - and for integration into portable electronics, such as mobile phones.

Shrotriya adds: 'We'll begin to manufacture panels to go into products by the end of the year, and portable power applications are our target, particularly for electronics. Things like bags and direct integration into phones and laptops will be first, as the power requirements are not very high and people are looking for extra power everywhere.'

Major consumer electronics firms have proven reticent in the past with regards to adding OPVs directly into products, as the reliability of the cells has not been established in the marketplace.

Solarmer is already working with companies to ensure the cells are acceptable to electronics firms once they are being manufactured.

Shrotriya says: 'We're talking to particular electronics companies about this. This is still a new technology and, of course, it's not ready today. When you put a new part into an established product - with established credibility - there is going to be reservation and we anticipate that. We're working hard with these companies to satisfy their requirements.'