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Organic Solar Cell Breaks Conversion Record

August 10, 2007 | 6 Comments

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Plextronics, Inc. announced yesterday that its organic photovoltaic technology achieved a world record in the conversion of solar light to power efficiency. The company's result of 5.4 percent establishes a new world record for single layer organic solar cells as certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in Golden, Colorado.

"Today's world-record performance demonstrates the rapid pace at which our technology is progressing."

-- Troy Hammond, Plextronics, Vice President of Products

Troy Hammond, vice president of products for Plextronics, said that the company began its organic photovoltaic development program less than two years ago, with the support of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority.

"Today's world-record performance demonstrates the rapid pace at which our technology is progressing," said Hammond. "We look forward to continuing this advancement until we have enabled low-cost solar cell products with our Plexcore® ink system."

Plexcore® ink systems for organic photovoltaic cells enable the printing of photo-active and charge carrier layers, which together convert light to power in the organic photovoltaic cell. The ability to print organic photovoltaic cells on glass or plastic drastically reduces the cost of energy compared to silicon solar cell technology.

Plextronics says that its technology has the potential to reduce the cost of solar cells below the commercially important threshold of $1 per watt, which is a reduction of up to five times that of crystalline silicon-based solar energy systems.

Solar Energy

6 Reader Comments

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jeffrey-hall-60429

August 10, 2007

I sure hope a way to get pv pricing down to an affordable level for those who need it most is close at hand, I believe affordability is one of the biggest hurdles pv must overcome along with public sector education.One dollar a watt is where it needs to be for most people to make a home system on a limited budget. 

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ray-malinda-9198

August 15, 2007

It would be nice if people who report these advances would write them for the general public as well and that would help advance the cause even more. What exactly is an "organic photovoltaic cell"? Is it made of naturally occuring materials? If so, what?

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sam-samarakoon-68388

August 15, 2007

As a person actively engaged in providing sustainable power solutions to energy poor rural populations, this news is welcomed with enthusiasm. Solar PV being one of the most easy solutions, bringing down the costs to affordable levels would be a boon to the rural poor, specially in the developing world. At present the pricing is too high and can be propagated only with subsidies from donors. If prices do come down below one doller per watt, solar could help the energy poor communities to achieve their long awaited desire for  electrification, without assistance from others.

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tom-comeau-12459

August 15, 2007

I agree with Jeffry but with a definite emphasis on the education of the general public.  My contacts indicate an apalling ignorance of the PV industry and its benefits.Like other marketing efforts PV could profit from getting a few celebrities to push the industry.  There's a number of well known names who I'm sure would gladly get behind such an effort.  Bill Maher might be a good candidate to approach as he has an incredible number of "intelligent" fans.

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antton-l-68109

August 17, 2007

Silicon cells are 'organic' as well? By the way: the tandem cells reported in July had 6 per cent efficiency: <a href="http://www.aurinkoenergiaa.fi/english.htm" target="_blank">http://www.aurinkoenergiaa.fi/english.htm</a>

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gregory-haggquist-71934

September 27, 2007

Ray asked what an "organic photovoltaic cell" exactly is. The term organic in the scientific community  is defined as chemical containing carbon , oxygen and hydrogen. The  silicon type cells are considered inorganic. These terms have nothing to do with the "organic" labels the Natural Food industry is using. Thus an organic photovoltaic cell is made from polymer materials based on carbon and not silicon. The  raw material source is most likely from  crude oil that is drilled out of the ground.

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