Lightweight, flexible and cheaper photovoltaic (‘solar’) cells.

Detailed Description:
Research that began at the Cavendish Laboratory in the Department of Physics, and now draws in departments from across the University, has discovered how to make lightweight, flexible and cheaper photovoltaic (‘solar’) cells. This technology unlocks new potential to deploy vast areas of solar cells that will be needed as part of the renewable energy portfolio when we move away from fossil fuels.

Know drawbacks of design:
Not yet applicable.

Website:
http://www.research-horizons.cam.ac.uk/spotlight/-p-organic-solar-cells--p-.aspx

Designed in:
2009

Status of realization:
Other

Keywords:
energy, knowledge, science, technology

Form
Organic semiconductor materials can be processed from solution at ambient temperatures onto low cost flexible substrates. These properties allow manufacturing on continuous webs (roll-to-roll) at low temperatures and without capital cost intensive vacuum processes, resulting in rapid scalability with relatively low capital outlay. Processing thin films on lightweight flexible substrates reduces material usage and enables more innovative ways of deploying the resultant modules and potentially opening new markets.

Impact
Organic polymers and small molecules can be readily synthesised from abundant chemical pre-cursors and do not require exotic rare materials, reducing risks regarding materials supply or costs. The non-toxic nature of the final devices is an important element for widespread acceptance and enables OPV modules to be more easily deployed.

Context
Taken together, the inherent benefits of organic PV could lead to organic solar cells producing electricity at a lower cost than their inorganic counterparts.

Proven and/or potential effects:
The market for organic solar cells has the potential to reach $500 million by 2015 and to grow four fold to $2 billion by 2020 (Nanomarkets, 2009) driven by applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics, and could save up to 900 million tonnes of CO2 by 2050 - some 1.5 times the UK's current annual emissions.

Is the design protected by patent or ip registration?
Patent

How has the development of the design been financed hereunto?
Company development costs

Is there a plan for future investments?
Yes

Is there in-house competencies to secure market roll out of the design, with regards to investment, distribution, sales, etc.?
Yes

Designed by:
Sir Richard Friend., Professor, Professor, United Kingdom, United Kingdom, University of Cambridge