Accolades Roll in for High-Efficiency Plastic Solar Cells

Solarmer Energy, a spin-off of UCLA research, has developed a plastic solar cell that’s been garnering very positive reviews around the industry. Their solar panels achieved 7.9 percent efficiency in tests at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which may not seem like much standing next to the 15 percent and higher efficiencies that conventional silicon-based panels enjoy, but it is high marks for organic solar products.

Plastic solar cells, made using organic polymers, are low-cost because of the materials involved – a major advantage for most third-generation solar technologies. The challenge for plastic solar cells has been to combine low cost with high efficiency. Compared with other products, Solarmer’s 7.9-percent efficiency is very high. And the company is heavily marketing their product and receiving plenty of accolades in response.

Solarmer Energy has won awards from the Department of Energy, the Office of Naval Research and FlexTech Alliance, an electronics group. Solarmer also made itself known at the Photovoltaics USA and Printed Electronics USA conferences this year.

According to Solarmer Energy’s website, their plastic solar panels could potentially provide solar power at 12-15 cents per kilowatt-hour for less than $1 per watt. Their solar panels are transparent, flexible and very thin. Another big advantage is the wide variety of applications for which these panels could be used, including portable electronics, smart fabrics and building-integrated photovoltaics. Given their transparency, Solarmer’s solar panels could lead to the first commercially viable, power-producing solar windows.

Via cooler planet

Photo Credit: RenewableEnergyWorld

Posted on December 14th in Solar Products by Dan.