A group of scientists led by the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen Nürnberg (FAU) has just set a new efficiency record for an organic photovoltaic (PV) module. The team involved scientists from Nuremberg and Erlangen along with scientists from the South China University of Technology. The multi-cell module was developed at the “Solar Factory of the Future.”
The group achieved results that are 30% higher than previously recorded. They used a 12 cell, 26.129cm² module and got a 12.6% efficiency. The cell has an open-circuit voltage of 9.978 volts, a fill factor of 95%, and a 13.2% conversion efficiency concerning the modules active area.
This is the highest efficiency value ever reported in an organic PV module this size. The new record was confirmed by the laboratory of Fraunhofer ISE (Freiburg). Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, states: “This breakthrough shows that Bavaria is not only a leader in the advancement of photovoltaic installations, but also occupies a leading position in the development of future technologies.”
FAU Professor Christoph Brabec, goes on to say:
This milestone in organic semiconductor research shows that the latest performance developments with certified cell efficiencies of over 16% are not limited to the laboratory scale, but ready to be scaled up to the level of prototype modules.
Also noted by FAU is the fact that module efficiency is always slightly lower than cell efficiency, due to resistance losses, and inactive areas. One of the key developments of this latest breakthrough was being able to minimize the inactive areas using a high-resolution laser structuring process that was developed at the lab.
These organic solar cells normally consist of two organic components that process the semiconductor properties. As opposed to conventional methods that use silicon and are less energy efficient using high temperature melting methods. Organic materials are applied directly to either a glass or a film carrier.
