Not satisfied with the traditional solar cell, scientists are now looking for ways of further improving solar energy collection by making it even more energy efficient while using renewable, organic sources. Sitting on the cusp of this revolutionary new technology to provide affordable solar power to the masses is the organic solar cell.
The organic solar cell is not nearly as efficient as traditional solar cells because of their tendency to disintegrate due to their chemical composition. Because of their instability, the organic solar cell has not yet reached the point in its development where it can be considered a viable replacement for the standard solar cell, however there are an array of potential applications for the organic solar cell which introduces a world of possibilities.
Because standard solar cells are expensive to manufacture and cost prohibitive for those wanting the benefits of solar power, scientists are looking for more cost effective means of harnessing solar energy to make it accessible to the general market. What researchers devised from the University of California, department of Polymers and Organics Solids was a hybrid technology increasing the efficiency of the organic solar cell and its ability to capture solar energy. It was coined the tandem solar cell.
This new breed of organic solar cell consists of two layers that work in conjunction with each other, in tandem, they are able to work cohesively in partnership to capture a wider range of the light spectrum encompassing wavelengths of both shorter and longer lengths. This increases the efficiency of light capture for conversion to usable electricity which previously eluded the organic solar cell. The typical efficiency of the organic solar cell is usually far less than their standard counterparts due largely to being made of organic compounds, however with the tandem solar organic cell the efficiency tends to be greater and sits around the 6% mark which is the highest known level for organic solar cells comprised of organic components.
The way that the tandem organic solar cell is designed is that each cell is separated by Titanium dioxide which is the key component for maximum efficiency for the capture of solar energy, the Titanium dioxide enables the transfer of electrons and energy between the layers.
What makes the organic solar cell so intriguing is its flexible structure which can be manipulated and compressed into rolls making it easy for transportation and installation.
With developments and improvements in technology and regenerative energy sources could see the organic solar cell out on the general market within the next 3 to 5 years. Because the organic solar cell is relatively inexpensive to produce it could spark major applications throughout third world countries and see the organic solar cell deployed in the use of mobile phones and laptop computers in places where access to the main power grid is limited. The implications of the organic solar cell worldwide is huge and would mean that electricity would no longer be available to only the select few but to everybody.
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