Giorgia Burzachechi A research team from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, in collaboration with the LNM Institute in Jaipur, has developed flexible and semi-transparent organic photovoltaic panels, achieving an efficiency of 16.35%. These devices, lighter and more sustainable than silicon, can be produced on a large scale via printing processes.
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In the future, solar panels may be integrated into countless everyday objects. Research and technological advancements are already paving the way for photovoltaic systems on electric car roofs or solar-powered headphones for limitless music playback. However, there’s still work to be done on materials to develop more sustainable alternatives to silicon, which is currently the standard. A promising solution now comes from Spain.
New generation of solar panels from Spain and India
It results from a collaborative study by the research group Molecular Organic Materials, which belongs to the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain, and the LNM Institute, Department of Physics, Jaipur, India. These organic-based solar photovoltaic devices would thus give a competitive edge over conventionally used silicon-based panels, though the latter enjoys higher efficiency rates. Preliminary tests of the new technology are promising, with results showing an efficiency of 16.35%.
A study published in the journal Solar RRL highlights the advantages of organic solar cells over conventional silicon ones: “Organic cells are lighter, less expensive to produce, and easier to integrate into applications such as portable devices or curved surfaces.” Moreover, these cells can be manufactured through printing processes, enabling large-scale production. The authors say, “This opens up new possibilities for their use in renewable energy industries and specific applications like road signage or portable electronic devices.”
Scientists on the UCLM campus in Toledo designed three of the most relevant organic molecules under study for this technology. Tests showed that adding chlorine atoms to the structure of one of them increased efficiency by a significant margin-up to 16.35%. According to the authors, such a figure represents “one of the highest efficiencies ever recorded for organic molecule-based devices.”
A greener future for solar power
Applications of organic solar cells are by no means limited to academia. Organic solar cells provide an ecologically friendly alternative to silicon-based technologies. With a lower ecological impact, resistance to solar radiation, and durability over time, they are ideal for low-power sensors used in industrial, environmental, and medical measurement and control processes. Besides, they can power solar streetlights and advertising panels.
Source: UCLM
