As a result of the high costs of generating power using silicon-based PV modules, MC, AIST and TOKKI have been conducting a joint R&D project on OPVs since early last year. These new modules should make cost reductions possible.
OPVs are a well–known type of third-generation PV module made of organic materials which are light, thin, flexible and colourful. OPVs are expected to be used in windows, walls, cloths, textiles, outdoor equipment and toys. These applications have proven difficult for the silicon-based PV modules currently in use, and the hope is that OPVs will be more effective. Until now, however, the efficiency of OPVs in converting sunlight has been a problem.
MC, AIST and TOKKI now believe they have developed a highly-integrated technology to solve this problem. According to MC, the breakthrough came when it was discovered that the organic compound C60 fullerene has very good semi conductivity and can be effectively applied to the OPV module as an accepter. Frontier Carbon Corporation, an MC subsidiary and the world’s largest fullerene producer, is supplying the C60 used to manufacture the modules.
The new module uses laser-scribing technology on a glass substrate. An organic semiconductor material comprising fullerene (C60) as an n-type of semiconductor (accepter) and phthalocyanine as a p-type of semiconductor (donor) is deposited on the substrate and then divided into several cells by laser. The technology eliminates the need for, deposition mask patterning, which is used in conventional methods, while the new module is highly integrated and should improve sunlight conversion efficiency.
The new organic PV module is being exhibited at the PV Japan world exposition at Makuhari Messe which ends today.
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