Heliatek sets new organic photovoltaic world record efficiency

 
Heliatek has further increased the efficiency of its OPV multi-junction cell

R&D teams of Dresden-based Heliatek GmbH have reached a record conversion efficiency of 13.2% for an OPV multi-junction cell, setting a new world record for the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity using organic photovoltaic cells. The measurement was independently confirmed by Fraunhofer CSP (centre for silicon photovoltaics) in Halle, Germany. Thanks to the excellent low light and high temperature behavior of the organic semiconductor, the electricity generation of the newly developed cells corresponds to the output of conventional solar cells with 16 to 17% efficiency when both are under real world conditions.

The German organic photovoltaic experts have continuously increased the efficiency of their products from 3% to more than 13% over the last 10 years. The new result also supports the roadmap towards 15% efficient organic solar cells. The result is reported to further validate Heliatek’s unique technology approach of using vacuum deposition of small molecules on plastic films.

The world-record cell is a multi-junction cell combining three different absorbers. Each of them is dedicated to efficiently convert green, red or near-infrared light of the wavelength range between 450 and 950 nm into electricity.

Dr. Martin Pfeiffer, CTO of Heliatek, says: “We are very proud of this new world record. This success is based on our chemical research for new organic absorber materials. Key to this success is the close cooperation of our physics and chemistry R&D teams, which leads to an optimal combination of the properties of this new solar cell design.”

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