Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical has developed the world's first solution conversion type organic photovoltaic (OPV) and is aiming for 10% efficiency by the end of 2011.
According to recent press reports the company has announced efficiencies of 8.5%, though these have yet to be verified by an independent testing lab.
Where a conventional silicon solar cell works by integrating p-type and n-type semiconductors to convert light energy into electricity, Mitsubishi's OPV is produced by adding two coatings of organic compounds to a film substrate. Benzoporphyrin acts as the p-type semiconductor, and a fullerene layer acts as the n-type semiconductor.
The nanolayers of active cell enable the production of thin, highly flexible and easily bendable PVs.
Mitsubishi Chemical is aiming to commercialise the OPV by 2015 and is targeting efficiencies of 15% by then. The technology has been developed by the company in cooperation with the University of Tokyo and Ehime University. Good conductivity and durability have been demonstrated.
Target applications include building-integrated PV products. Mitsubishi has an existing PV business based on crystal and thin-film amorphous silicon technologies.
Documents and links
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The Mitsubishi Chemical organic solar cell business
Webpage for the Mitsubishi Chemical organic photovoltaic business
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Subscribe to +Plastic Electronics magazine
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Organic solar cells push efficiency thresholds to 8.3%
European and US organic solar cell developers have recorded 8.3% efficiencies for prototype devices
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The Future of Flexible and Thin-Film PVs
Technology forecasts to 2019, published by IntertechPira
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