Organic photovoltaics (OPV) company Konarka has announced an agreement with OLED lighting developer Konica Minolta to improve the performance and production of organic solar cells.
The two companies will share knowledge of coatings and materials as part of the deal, and will work together on improving the lifetimes and mass-production techniques for OPVs.
Konica Minolta, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has invested $20 million (€14.6 million) in Konarka as part of the agreement.
Konarka, based in Lowell, MA, US, has previously established product development agreements with companies for building-integrated photovoltaic applications, including US firm Arch Aluminum and Glass. The company has also licensed its Power Plastic OPV for use in a commercially available carry case, the Energy Sun-Bag from Neubers, and is planning to extend commercialisation into the outdoor wear market.
Documents and links
-
Konarka press release
Announcement of the agreement with Konica Minolta
External Link
-
Konica Minolta
Website of the Japanese imaging company and OLED developer
External Link
-
First commercial product for organic solar cell
Welsh OPV firm G24 Innovations is shipping its solar cells for use in a range of bags for consumer electronics
External Link
-
People power
Dan Williams, VP of product development at Konarka Technologies, US, argues that integrated electronics herald a new age of personal power
External Link
-
The Future of Flexible and Thin-Film PVs
Technology forecasts to 2019, published by IntertechPira
External Link