Plastic Solar Cell Efficiency Breaks Record at WFU Nanotechnology Center
Summary posted by Meridian on 4/19/2007
Source: Nanotechnology-Now
Author: n/a
Researchers from Wake Forest University (WFU) in the U.S. report that they have developed flexible organic solar cells with an energy efficiency surpassing 6 percent, more than double the 3 percent efficiency they reached two years ago. Many research groups have been working to improve the efficiency of plastic solar cells, which are less expensive and lighter weight than conventional silicon solar panels and can be rolled up and wrapped around or painted onto surfaces. Solar cells need to achieve about 8 percent efficiency to be commercially viable. The WFU researchers hope to reach 10 percent during the next year. Conventional solar panels typically achieve about 12 percent efficiency. David Carroll, the director of WFU's nanotechnology center said, "I fully expect to see higher numbers within the next two years, which may make plastic devices the photovoltaic of choice." The U.S. Air Force, which is interested in efficient and light-weight solar cells for spacecrafts and satellites, is funding a large portion of WFU's research. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
The original article may still be available at www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=22027
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