Press releases
12.10.2010
Bright future for electricity from plastic: EU research project “LARGECELLS” for large-scale application of organic photovoltaics
Scientists at the University of Bayreuth to coordinate ambitious EU
research project “LARGECELLS” for large-scale
application of organic photovoltaics.
European-Indian consortium aims at doubling the efficiency levels
of
organic photovoltaic cells (OPV).
Bayreuth/Munich – The vision of Prof. Mukundan Thelakkat,
Professor for Applied Functional Polymers at the University of
Bayreuth, is revolutionary: in 10 to 20 years, flexible plastic
solar cells made out of semiconductor polymers, which are able to
convert solar energy into electric power, shall be available for a
reasonable price. Through an improved efficiency, this
next-generation photovoltaic technology should provide an
affordable and large-scale supply of solar energy on the basis of
printable polymer solar cells. The European Commission has decided
to support this vision and to finance, starting early September
2010, the respective international research project with 1.64 M
Euros of funding over the next three years. The scientists will
meet in Munich on 14th October 2010 for the project kick-off
meeting. Under the supervision of Prof. Thelakkat, four academic
partners and two SMEs (small-to-medium-sized enterprises) from
Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and Israel, as well as a
consortium of scientists from India, are to collaborate on the
“LARGECELLS” project (Large-Area Organic and Hybrid
Solar Cells).
Fossil fuels are becoming increasingly scarce. In order
to reduce the levels of climate-impacting carbondioxide, renewable
sources of energy are widely required. Photovoltaics play a
particularly crucial role here regarding production of electric
power. The problems however are that production of rigid,
inorganic photovoltaic elements from pure silicium requires high
amounts of energy and are also expensive. Organic photovoltaics
(OPV) based on polymers represent an alternative. These
“plastic solar cells” can be produced
energy-efficiently and at a reasonable price, while offering the
additional advantage of being flexible in their applicability.
However, the attribute of large-scale application hasn’t yet
been successful due to its comparably low power conversion
efficiency. Yet to be researched as well are the
long-term stability and the mechanisms of degradation in
polymer-based solar cells, which have up to now hampered their
practical application or commercialization.
“Energy demand today is enormous worldwide, particularly in
the emerging markets, which are quickly developing into huge
industrial nations”, says Prof. Thelakkat. “This
demands cost-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions that can
be deployed flexibly all over the world; these solutions would be
considerably valuable for those locations lacking the necessary
infrastructure for energy supply. Organic photovoltaics are quite
capable of fulfilling these requirements. The
prerequisite is a considerable improvement in their efficiency,
long-term stability and decrease in prices, attributes that we hope
to achieve in our research.”
New functional materials for a new energy era
The “LARGECELLS” project, started early September 2010,
aims at synthesising new and suitable polymeric functional
materials for organic photovoltaic cells, in order to achieve a
100% increase in the efficiency level compared to current cells.
For this purpose, potential will be researched in reference to both
purely organic systems as well as hybrid materials for organic and
inorganic semi-conductors. The specific goals involve development
of materials with low band gap energy and donor-acceptor systems.
To this end, the morphology of the polymeric layers for the
photovoltaic cells will be respectively adjusted.
The most promising materials will be refined for their large-scale
application in novel and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes
on the basis of roll-to-roll processes. The Danish firm Mekoprint
has assumed the responsibility for technological realisation of the
project.
Long-term stability tests
Stability and degradation mechanisms within the new solar cells
will be examined in the Negev Desert (Israel) and in India by means
of indoor and outdoor experiments using accelerated ageing
processes. The results of these experiments, which will take place
under realistic operational conditions, will be taken into
consideration for further development of optimal carrier
materials.
Close collaboration with Indian scientists
In the context of calls for tenders within the 7th Framework
Programme (FP7) of the EU, collaboration with certain countries
outside the EU is supported. In this case, five top-class
scientific institutions from India are taking part in the
LARGECELLS project. The Indian researchers will collaborate very
closely with their EU colleagues in the area of development of new
materials and outdoor tests. Moreover, an intensive exchange of
knowledge and personnel has been planned; scientists and students
on both sides will visit their colleagues from the other consortium
on a regular basis, thus assuring an optimal exchange of knowledge
and significant synergies in research work. The Indian consortium
is being separately financed by the Department of Science and
Technology, Indian Ministry of Science.
Contact persons:
Project coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Mukundan Thelakkat
Applied Functional Polymers
University of Bayreuth
Tel. +49-921-55 3108
Mail:
Project manager:
Dr. Panteleimon Panagiotou
Scientific Officer
Bavarian research Alliance
Tel. +49-9901-888-130
Mail:
