First commercial product for organic solar cell

Dan Rogers - 13 Oct 2009

Welsh organic photovoltaic (OPV) firm G24 Innovations (G24i) is shipping its solar cells for use in a range of bags for consumer electronics.

The customer making the bags is Mascotte Industrial Associates, in Hong Kong.

The dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) panels integrated into the bags will be able to charge a battery to top-up the power of portable electronics. They will be available to purchase in Q4 2009, from companies including camera manufacturer Concord Keystone and stereo bag producer Scratch Tracks.

Roy Bedlow, chief marketing officer at G24i, states: 'We're launching this at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and will be announcing some more customers, with the product coming online by Christmas.'

G24i intends to follow up the Mascotte deal with a range of products, developed with other clients, where OPVs are integrated directly into consumer electronics, such as mobile phones, cameras and laptops.

Adoption curve

Bedlow states: 'As this is the first commercialisation, it means the start of the adoption curve of solar as an enhancement or replacement of batteries.'

The company is already working with a number of unnamed partners to expand the products applying its OPVs, including integrated DSSCs for laptops and mobile phones, Bedlow adds.

'We're working with other companies - global consumer brands - on deployment in other products. As this is an accessory, it has come to market more quickly. We will soon see more integrated products.'

The range of bags will use the OPV technology to harvest energy continuously, including in indoor, low light conditions. Energy is transferred to a battery that can then charge mobile electronic devices such as cameras, mobile phones or e-readers.

Fit for purpose

While power yield is relatively low, Bedlow notes that it is fit for purpose in the bag applications: 'For instance, for an entry-level mobile phone, this would offer full charge potential. For a heavyweight user, like a business executive's phone, this could be used to extend battery life on the move and create a top-up.'

The company hopes that the commercialisation will attract the attention of other parties interested in applying DSSCs in other areas, such as building-integrated and automotive OPVs.

Bedlow adds: 'Our "Power up your products" programme will allow people to have an integration kit sent to them to test the DSSCs and see if they're applicable.

'We're collaborating with automotive companies on low light applications within the car, such as the dashboard, sunroof and blinds and shutters. One use we've seen is a roller shade, which our cells can offer as they are flexible. These can be used to power air conditioning units or enable drivers to reduce power consumption.'