Indianapolis (IN) – An international team of scientists including Professor Lee Kwang-hee at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, and Professor/Nobel Laureate Alan Heeger at University of California Santa Barbara, has developed an organic solar cell that achieves 6.5% efficiency. While this figure is notably less than today's non-organic solutions (which reach efficiencies in excess of 40%), the teams' research has finally blasted past the 5% barrier for this type of solar cells. They've overcome a major obstacle and it is believed this first announcement is just the foundation of the technology’s real potential.

Previous organic solar cell experiments have been hindered by scientific brick walls. The reinforced concrete ceiling was struck hard at 4.8% efficiency. This limitation made organic solar cell products all but useless for commercial application. And while it might outwardly seem that a mere 1.7% increase is hardly enough to get excited about, the excitement comes not from the amount of increase alone, but rather from breaking through the 5% barrier. There is also greater potential in future application using the very research of this team. Kwang-hee has already seen unconfirmed efficiencies of 7% in the lab, and believes the officially verified 6.5% seen today will be upped to 15% in just two years.

These advancements were made by a specific processing technology involving the orientation and layering of materials. The new products are designed to convert more of the EM spectrum into energy, including both infrared and ultraviolet. This additional use of the EM spectrum accounts for the largest single component increase in the new model. The new materials can be manufactured by using a type of ink-jet printer-like device which sprays the organic materials onto a flexible substrate.

Organic solar panels are inexpensive and can be mass produced in all kinds of variable shapes. If the efficiencies can be raised, they could power many more types of electronic devices in the future. Kwang-hee even sees of a future of wearable neckties and other clothing which provide power for portable devices as we move around.

Current high-end solar cell solutions using traditional (non-organic) manufacturing processes are achieving 41% efficiency in mass producible products. Efficiencies as high as 63% using those processes are anticipated by the year 2020. But, no surprise here, those traditional solutions are much more expensive to produce. This holds true even when factoring in the additional surface area required for the same output power (due to the lower efficiencies).

The solar cell industry expects to top a market volume of $10 billion dollars by 2010. Scientific breakthroughs like these hold the potential to change the shape of that entire industry.

Solar IS the way of the Future.

Jul 13, 2007 20:18     

Good New, Hope it keeps going>
martinjs report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I would love

Jul 13, 2007 21:53     

to cover my roof in solar cells. Even if it doesn't balance out with my use, it would certainly help my electric bill (and the environment). I'll have to see what the cost is down to when I have to redo my roof in a few years. I hope major advancements can be made here.
nvalhalla report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Currently, solar power is a 10 year pay down. That...

Jul 13, 2007 22:52     

Currently, solar power is a 10 year pay down. That means that when you invest in solar panels, batteries, and the requisite electronics it costs about ten years of electricity. In basic terms, the panels pay for themselves in ten years. This is WAY too long to wait for the tech to pay for itself. They need to get it to three years. If panels and batteries could pay for themselves in three years we would see an EXPLOSION of demand. Why? The average lives in one location for seven years. If a person moved into a house and installed solar panels they would enjoy three years of free energy PLUS increase the value of their home for resale. Why THREE years? If it's seven years they only increase their resale and give free power to the next family. Three years would allow an investment to pay off in the short term and provide long term benefits, too.

Meegus report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I agree: Solar really is the future

Jul 13, 2007 22:57     

There is big money in this industry. Start buying stock now.
Wingless report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I want a 1 minute pay down

Jul 14, 2007 08:28     

...now!
fatkii report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

What about the power companies?

Jul 14, 2007 10:59     

Personally I remember growing up in California under "Greyout Davis" and dealing with occasional rolling blackouts (which always came in the middle of finals week for some reason when I NEEDED to use the computers). I dont recall exactly what was going on, but it seemed like the power companies were having a hard time making a profit (more likely that government provided scarsity increased demand, and thus the charges; but I have no proof one way or annother on that). But power is big money, and I doubt Duke, PG&E, CG&E, and all the others are just going to sit back and let their whole market disapear while people start producing their own electricity. Does anyone know how they are reacting to this? Or are they going to be the ones to provide the products and installation and charge us some sort of useage fees for the equipment and maitenance? Personally I like Austrailias setup where if you are generating more power than your using and are connected to the grid then you actuially get a little chunk of change from the power companies. It's not much obviously, but it would still help to pay down the expensive solar cells sooner.

Caeden report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Here we go again...

Jul 14, 2007 16:18     

Do you have any idea how many _DECADES_ the next revolution in solar electric power has been "just a few years away"? This isn't even a product, that can actually be produced, just a lab breakthrough. Sigh.
wpns report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

making electricity vs storing it

Jul 16, 2007 07:16     

If Mother Nature's rulebook allowed for a nanotech super battery that was practical for ground transportation all the exotic ways of making electricity would be more interesting and the terror threat would be over a few weeks after the announcement.
charlie report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Here we go again...

Jul 16, 2007 08:50     

true.. such positive comments from the scientist of the breakthrough are very doubtful. i really hope he's right, though! the fact that such progress takes decades to happen makes it unlikely for investments in the area. this news may give some extra momentum ($$$) :)
nkezord report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I was to the national solar convention in cleveland...

Jul 16, 2007 09:16     

I was to the national solar convention in cleveland last weekend If i dont go solar on my home This will be my last home NOT SOLAR! check out solarome.com best doug H Cinti
Doug report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Power companies want Solar power

Jul 16, 2007 10:45     

Power companies want people to use sloar power for that fact anything that takes power off thier grid. They dont want to build more plants, since thier is not space near the major power drains ( the cities). I worked for PEPCO and if they need to build another plant it would not pay for itself for over 40 years. Most areas are even worst off then the Pepco area. Why do think califonra has mjor problems if all they needed to do was build more plants. Plants placed far lose so much power its just not owrth building new ones. PEPCO got so desperate they paying buildings to change all bulbs to low power bulbs and was will to pay for 30% fo the price to upgrade to air conditioning systems the frozen water at night so it would drian less power during the day. One building I did cost PEPCO almost $140K. The power companies want power reductation.

Ray report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

We need "the future" to be "the now"

Jul 16, 2007 12:31     

Fossil resources are not plentiful, we already know that. Once those fuels are depleated, what then? If we were to lose all fossil fuels, are we prepared with the alternative? Solar as well as other alternatives need to be ramped up now, not later. Unfortunately, some (not all) utilities and the government rules make it difficult and expensive for the everyday homeowner to afford or do this, and utilities have not made much headway in the realm of alternative energy. (Sans nuclear)

Todd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

RE: Currently, solar power is a 10 year pay down.

Jul 16, 2007 17:20     

Good points made. Don't forget maintenance after 10 years of deterioration. I research using solar and wind for my house every couple years. My research shows more like 12 years payoff. I just cannot see it ever getting better soon. As much as I love the concept, it will never be an option for my house near term. Oddly enough, I have seen documentaries where the very environmentalists who once protested nuclear power are now starting to reconsider it. My opinion is that if the U.S. Navy can operate nuclear power safely, then so can power companies.

Froogler report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Booyah to the Navy

Jul 16, 2007 21:29     

Absolutely right. The value-risk ratio in nuclear power is just amazing! There are so many safeguards now, I truly believe a meltdown in the United States is almost impossible. Even if you consider terrorist possabilities, the chances of their success is near impossible. If you actually read up on how the reactors work, they actually shut down naturally when stuff breaks...i.e. a bomb blowing something up. There's a small town up here in Alaska that would LOVE to build a tiny nuclear reactor not unlike what's in a sub, unfortunately the morratorium doesn't allow them to do it....so instead they BARGE in heating oil and diesal to heat their homes and run the generator...so much for nuclear dirtiness and reducing your carbon footprint! BRING IN THE NUKES!!

McGRIFF report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Japan had a bit of an incident today.

Jul 16, 2007 23:33     

Japan had a small leak of radioactive water today. It was much smaller than TMI or chernobyl. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/07/16/japan.quake.reut/index.html The real problems with nuclear power are the people who operate the plants, and the question of what we do with the nuclear leftovers. I will admit that the French have had a very good record with the plants they run.
RalfTheDog report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

RE: What about the power companies? by Caeden

Jul 17, 2007 00:26     

Dude, get a clue. Google this: California Net Metering There has been a law on the books since 1995 (Davis took office in 1999) that REQUIRES all California Utility companies to buy back your excess Energy you produce on any Solar system rated at 10kw or smaller. Not only that, but they (Utility Companies) have to pay you the same rat they charge you depending on the time of day. If you ever look closely, most power companies charge more for power during the day than during the night. Considering you use more power at night than during the day (if you are a normal 8-to-5'er), you can actually rack up a credit during the day when your not home and then spend it at night and come out even. Anyway, do your research before posting nonsense.

Casper report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

power black outs in california

Jul 17, 2007 03:50     

According to the the documentary, "The Smartest Man in the Room," the black outs in california were ordered by Enron. Hopefully we well see an improvement of traditional technology similar to OLED and LED
loujob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Idiots.

Jul 18, 2007 12:35     

We cannot solve our energy problems with solar OR wind. Period. You need to build conventional power plants to back up the solar on a nearly 1 to 1 basis to cover weather conditions when you can't generate power. It will be good for certain applications... distributed generation, remote locations etc... it is not a panacea. Nuclear is the only viable option.
RockHop report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Solor/Wind just smoothes the peaks

Jul 18, 2007 23:31     

I agree. While there are places where wind could provide a lot, it's not dependable. People now complain if the power glitches and they have to reset the programming on the VCR. For solor to work it would have to be very cheap to build and people would have level parts of the desert. But what about at night? What about during storms. Batteries will not work, to many nasty chemicals... Deal with it.

ken report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0