This report details the production of effective and reliable, low-cost printed organic solar cells by controlling the way the organic components in the cell align with each other at a microscopic (molecular) level during the ink drying process.
Report extract
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have emerged as a dynamic new technology that promises a low-cost way of mass-producing solar cells through the use of commercial printing presses. Significant developments are required in the performance profile of this exciting new technology to allow commercialisation, with improvement in solar cell efficiency and durability. The Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC) has developed a world leading printing capability in the two key emerging technologies, bulk heterojunction solar cells (BHJ) and dye sensitised solar cells (DSC) technologies. The consortium is aiming to bring the technology to a level where it can be commercialised through an iterative process where the printed module performance is matched to product requirements throughout commercialisation, with product development leading to cost competitive products and finally to printed modules rivalling traditional silicon solar cells.