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Mitsubishi and Partners Develop Highly Integrated Organic Photovoltaics Module
21 June 2009
| Structure of the OPV. Source: Mitsubishi Corporation. Click to enlarge. |
Mitsubishi Cooperation (MC), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Tokki Corporation have developed a new, highly-integrated Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) module.
Like silicone PVs, OPVs employ a P-N diode junction as a generating active layer. The biggest challenge over some 30 plus years of R&D has been raising the low power output of PVs. In January, 2005, AIST achieved 4.0% light exchange efficiency with the introduction of a bulk-hetero junction (i-layer). At the time, this was the highest efficiency rate that had ever been achieved.
In the new, highly integrated OPV module, fullerene (C60) from Frontier Carbon Corporation (FCC), an MC subsidiary and the world’s largest producer of fullerene, is used as a n-type of semiconductor (accepter) and Phthalocyanine (CuPc) as a p-type of semiconductor (donor).
The new module uses laser-scribing technology on a glass substrate. Organic semiconductor materials are deposited on the substrate and then divided into several cells with the laser. The technology eliminates the need for deposition mask patterning, which is used in conventional methods. The new module is highly integrated and should improve sunlight conversion efficiency.
| Source: Mitsubishi Corporation. Click to enlarge. |
OPVs are a well–known type of third-generation photovoltaics that use organic materials to make light, thin and colorful film PV modules. OPVs are expected to be used in windows, walls, cloths, textiles, outdoor equipment and toys. These applications have proven difficult for the silicon type of PV modules currently in use, and the hope is that OPVs will be more effective.
Until now, however, the efficiency of OPVs in converting sunlight has been a problem. MC, AIST and TOKKI now believe their highly-integrated technology can solve this problem.
MC, AIST and Tokki have been conducting a Joint Research and Development project for OPVs since 20 March 2008. The partners will exhibit the technology at the upcoming PV Japan exposition held 24-26 June at Makuhari Messe.
June 21, 2009 in Power Generation, Solar | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: mahonj | June 21, 2009 at 08:30 AM
You're right, it would be nice to know. However the "highly integrated" part should not be discounted. Even if the efficiency of a OPV cell remains the same a highly integrated module means there's more surface area that's put to work converting light into electricity. Compare the picture; the new module has 3X the active area. Mind you it may not be a good idea to use that picture as a true measure, the older module may be their worst case.
BTW googling found this; http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Solarmer-Energy-Inc-979370.html
Also-
"Efficiency Alone Is Not Enough
In discussing any photovoltaic technology, it is tempting to be distracted by the question of device efficiency. Certainly, millions of dollars are spent each year on trying to improve the efficiency of solar cells, and this clearly is a critical factor. But it's only half the story.
A cell that is ten times as efficient as competing designs is of interest, but if it cost 1,000 times as much to make, it cannot be competitive. On the other hand, if a cell that was only one-tenth as efficient as the average cell cost only one-hundredth as much to produce, it would be an instant winner.
Now, there are certainly limits; at some point, the size of a highly-inefficient solar cell would become so large that it might become impractical for some applications, or its installation costs might increase to the point that its other cost savings are wiped out.
So while it is important to consider solar cell efficiencies in terms of how much sunlight power is converted to electricity, the ultimate question is how much will that electricity cost over the useful life of the solar cell. If the cost is low enough, then the photovoltaics can compete successfully with other forms of electrical generation, including fossil fuel.
Another important consideration about OPV and DSC(dye-sensitized solar cells) module efficiencies is that they continue to perform well in low levels of light. Unlike c-Si modules that need direct sunlight to be effective, these other materials can produce significant amounts of electricity from lower level light sources, including from surfaces that do not face the sun directly, or in cloudy conditions."
Posted by: ai_vin | June 21, 2009 at 09:13 AM
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a: It is Silicon PV, not Silicone PV. Silicone is used for ... other things.
b: What is the efficiency? They were at 4% in 2005 but there is no indication where they are now.
Maybe they published before they had any measured results.
It would be nice to know - 4.1% ? 6%? 10%?
It could be important.