Hybrid solar cells combine organic and inorganic semiconductor materials in their cell structure. More specifically, organic polymers that absorb light and act as "electron donors" are combined with inorganic materials that act as "electron acceptors" and aid in electron transport as well. Hybrid solar cells are a type of third generation solar cell that offer a high potential for inexpensive, roll-to-roll manufacturing and high-efficiency power production.
Hybrid solar cells are multi-junction cells in that the two materials are placed in close contact with each other. Each layer acts as a junction through which photons of light must pass or be absorbed. This setup creates higher conversion efficiencies than a single material doing all the work on its own. The main challenges of hybrid solar cells, like other solar cells in development, include increasing conversion efficiency and limiting degradation over time.
Types of hybrid solar cells include carbon nanotubes, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), and other nano-structured cells.
Plastic Solar Cells / Foil Solar Cells / Carbon Solar Cells / Polymer Solar Cells / Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells / Silicon Solar Cells / Nanocrystal / Organic / Spray-on Solar Cells / Advanced Thin-Film Solar Cells / Thin-Film Solar Cells / Carbon Nanotube Solar Cells / Quantum Dot Solar Cells / Multi-Junction Solar Cells / Hybrid Solar Cells / 3-D Solar Cells