Researchers from the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) have found that the manufacture of organic solar cells is actually more energy efficient than that of conventional solar cells.
An organic photovoltaic cell is an emerging solar energy technology that uses organic electronics such as carbon-based conductive polymers and small organic molecules for light absorption and charge transport.
The research team, which included researchers from R.I.T.’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability and NanoPower Research Labs, conducted a life cycle assessment on these solar cells – one of the first lifecycle assessments for organic photovoltaic devices.
“This analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of how much energy it takes to manufacture an organic solar cell, which has a significant impact on both the cost and environmental impact of the technology,” said Brian Landi, an assistant professor of chemical engineering at the research institute and a faculty advisor on the project.
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The analysis includes a component-by-component breakdown of individual materials used in the production of the organic solar cell and a calculation of the total energy payback of the cell, which is the energy produced versus the energy required to manufacture the cell.
The researchers discovered that the embodied energy, or the total energy required to create a product, is less for organic solar cells compared with their inorganic counterparts. They also realized that the energy payback time for organic solar cells is lower than inorganic devices.
However, further studies to verify the devices’ stability are still necessary.
“The data produced will help designers and potential manufacturers better assess how to use and improve the technology and analyze its feasibility versus other solar and alternative energy technologies,” Mr. Landi explained.
Flexible and lightweight organic solar cells are widely considered as the next stage in making solar energy a viable alternative to fossil fuel-based energy production. However, the challenge now is to mass produce organic solar cells in a way that is as energy and cost efficient as the current technology
Earlier attempts have been made to discover the potential of organic solar cells. In January 2009, scientists from the chemistry department of the University of Toronto found that conjugated polymers could be used to manufacture more efficient organic solar cells.
Annik Anctil, the lead researcher of the R.I.T. study, plans to further analyze the environmental effects of solar cell development through additional life cycle assessments of other types of solar cell technology.
The research team presented the results at the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers 2010 Photovoltaic Specialists Conference.
