Konarka claims world record efficiency for organic solar cell

November 29, 2010

Konarka's power plastics can be used in producing battery chargers for consumer electronics, or for use in structures where conventional photovoltaic systems cannot be used
Massachusetts-based Konarka Technologies, Inc., has claimed a world record efficiency for an organic-based photovoltaic solar cell.

The company said today its solar cells have been certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as achieving an 8.3% efficiency.

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells take the form of a thin film of a special plastic that can turn light into electricity. The solar plastics offer the benefits of cheap production and flexible uses, but offer a much lower efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity than silicon cells or other forms of thin film solar technology. OPV technology commonly sees efficiencies of around 1-3%.

Konarka said its achievement was the highest conversion efficiency for an OPV cell recorded by the NREL, an agency of the US Department of Energy based in Golden, Colorado.

The certification was for a single-junction solar cell with a surface area of one square centimeter.

“Unprecedented”

Howard Berke, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Konarka, said: “The progress Konarka has achieved this year with regard to solar cell efficiency is unprecedented, representing a significant milestone for the industry. This unsurpassed NREL certification opens new doors for the commercial production of cost-effective, efficient electricity for numerous large scale applications.”

Konarka, which has its headquarters in Lowell, Massachusetts, produces a Power Plastic product that other manufacturers can use to make power-generating components.

The company suggests the lightweight, flexible material can be used in a range of applications where traditional photovoltaic systems may not be effective.

Applications could include building-integrated photovoltaic systems, tents and shade structures that generate enough power to run personal electronic equipment such as a laptop, or a carport system that can trickle-charge electric vehicles parked underneath.