Photovoltaic windows are coming
The technology of organic photovoltaic cells is promising. But the latter still suffer from an insufficient lifespan. Researchers may have found a way to prolong their effectiveness for up to 30 years.
Do you like our News? Subscribe to the Daily newsletter to receive our latest News once a day.Solar panels on the roof, that's good. But if you double them with photovoltaic panels on the windows, it's even better. The problem is that silicon is not transparent. That's why researchers have been exploring for some time other materials that can harvest energy from the sun. Organic materials. And some are quite effective.
Solar cells based on what physicists call non-fullerene acceptors -- remember that fullerenes are molecules made up of many carbon atoms -- and which incorporate sulfur, thus achieve efficiencies of 18%. As much as silicon cells. Unfortunately, they suffer from a short lifespan.
But the work of an international team could well change the situation. The researchers indeed explain today that the non-fullerene acceptors contain weak bonds which dissociate easily under the effect of photons, in particular ultraviolet photons coming from the sun.
Here, the structure imagined by the researchers for their photovoltaic cell. © Kan Ding, University of Michigan
Layers of protection
To counter this, the researchers chose to add a layer of zinc oxide -- an ingredient found even in sunscreen -- on the side of the panel exposed to the sun. To prevent it from weakening the light absorber, the researchers added a buffer layer of carbon-based material. As well as another fullerene buffer layer on the electrode side.
The tests carried out subsequently showed that such photovoltaic solar cells would still operate at 80% of their maximum efficiency after 30 years. Before they come to equip our windows, however, researchers will still have to improve their transparency. It's now only 40% -- they're aiming for 60%. And they hope to succeed in increasing their efficiency, from 10 to 15%. All with relatively low manufacturing costs.
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External linksThe University of Michigan press releaseNon-fullerene acceptor organic photovoltaics with intrinsic operational lifetimes over 30 yearsRelated definitionsSimple definition of "duration"What is a fullerene?What does "photon" mean? ultraviolet: the definitionWhat does "light" mean?
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