The state of organic solar cells—A meta analysis

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 119; pp. 84 - 93
• Main Authors: Jørgensen, Mikkel, Carlé, Jon E., Søndergaard, Roar R., Lauritzen, Marie, Dagnæs-Hansen, Nikolaj A., Byskov, Sedi L., Andersen, Thomas R., Larsen-Olsen, Thue T., Böttiger, Arvid P.L., Andreasen, Birgitta, Fu, Lei, Zuo, Lijian, Liu, Yao, Bundgaard, Eva, Zhan, Xiaowei, Chen, Hongzheng, Krebs, Frederik C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2013
• Subjects: All data reported until 2012; Carbon; Comparison with other PV; Earth; New technology; Photovoltaic cells; Polymer solar cells; Solar cells; Solar energy; Solar power generation; Statistical analysis; Sunlight; Tandem cells; Statistical analysis; Tandem cells; All data reported until 2012; Polymer solar cells; Comparison with other PV
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2013.05.034

Solar cells that convert sunlight into electrical power have demonstrated a large and consistent growth through several decades. The growth has spawned research on new technologies that potentially enable much faster, less costly and environmentally friendly manufacture from earth abundant materials. Here we review carbon based solar cells through a complete analysis of all the data that has been reported so far and we highlight what can be expected from carbon based technologies and draw scenarios of how it can be made of immediate use. [Display omitted] •All data on organic and polymer solar cells were compiled into a database.•Analysis revealed and enormous spread in data.•Very few data account for the state of the art whereas the majority fall much lower.•An exponential increase in reported performance was found for decreasing active area.•Larger areas are needed for evaluating the true potential of OPV.